A meeting between Qatar and Ukraine’s defence ministers also took place in Doha on Wednesday.
Qatar has welcomed Saudi Arabia’s hosting of talks between the United States and Ukraine, where both sides discussed a proposed 30-day truce between Kyiv and Moscow.
In a statement on Wednesday, Qatar’s foreign ministry expressed the Gulf state’s hope that the talks “will contribute to finding a solution to the crisis in Ukraine” while expressing its appreciation for the Saudi-led diplomatic efforts.
“Qatar reaffirms its firm belief that dialogue is the best option for resolving regional and international crises and conflicts,” the statement said, reiterating Doha’s support for peace efforts between Kyiv and Moscow.
The talks, held in Jeddah on Tuesday at the foreign minister level, took place nearly a month after Saudi Arabia hosted separate talks between the U.S. and Russia – the first since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, but did not attend the talks.
A joint statement by the U.S. and Ukraine confirmed the Kyiv’s readiness to accept Washington’s proposed 30-day truce, which is subject to extension. Russia has yet to formally respond to the deal.
“Ukraine is ready to accept this proposal—we see it as a positive step and are ready to take it. Now, it is up to the United States to convince Russia to do the same. If Russia agrees, the ceasefire will take effect immediately,” Zelenskyy said in a statement.
The meeting also came after a heated exchange at the White House between U.S. President Donald Trump and Zelenskyy on February 28.
At the time, the U.S. paused military aid and intelligence assistance to Ukraine, before it was eventually resumed following the latest talks in Saudi Arabia.
Ending the war between Russia and Ukraine has been among Trump’s priorities since he took office in January. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is also reportedly visiting Moscow this week to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Qatar’s support for Russia-Ukraine
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, met Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov, in Doha.
The discussions between both officials centred on “topics of mutual interest and ways to enhance and develop them”, according to Qatar’s defence ministry.
Since 2023, Qatar has led efforts to reunite Ukrainian children separated by the war to their families.
The Gulf state has maintained a neutral stance in the Russia-Ukraine conflict while repeatedly expressing its readiness to mediate between both sides.
