Doha: Over the past 38 months of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, Qatari mediation has successfully reunited Russian and Ukrainian children affected by conflict with their families on nine occasions, after hosting them, providing them with medical, psychological, and social care and support, and ensuring their security and safety.
According to Qatar News Agency, peaceful conflict resolution, dialogue, preventive diplomacy, and mediation are at the core of Qatar's foreign policy priorities. Qatar enjoys a distinct global reputation as a neutral and credible mediator among the conflicting parties. Based on its firm commitment to humanitarian principles and international solidarity, and its ongoing efforts to find peaceful solutions to the various conflicts and disputes taking place around the world, the State of Qatar has engaged in mediation in the Russian-Ukrainian crisis that erupted in 2022, focusing its efforts primarily on reuniting Russian and Ukrainian children separated from their families due to the conflict.
Since the first day of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, the State of Qatar has mobilized its diplomatic capabilities, relations, and expertise to resolve the crisis and assist those affected by it on both sides. It has intensified its humanitarian efforts to reunite children with their families, as part of its continued commitment to humanitarian efforts. It has also supported the international community's efforts to stop the fighting and protect civilians by all available means.
On October 16, 2023, the State of Qatar announced the first reunion between Russian and Ukrainian children and their families. The State hosted the children and their families at the Qatari Embassy in Moscow, prior to their transfer to their destination. This was to ensure their safety and comfort. Qatar considered this mission an important beginning toward reuniting the remaining children affected by the Russian-Ukrainian crisis with their families, a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Afterward, reunification between children and their families from both sides went on. On March 27, the State of Qatar announced that two additional groups of children in Russia and Ukraine were reunited with their families.
Additionally, the State of Qatar announced on Wednesday the arrival of 19 families from Russia and Ukraine, including 32 children, in Doha, to take part in programs dedicated to providing healthcare services and comprehensive support for both Russia and Ukraine.
The mediation to reunite families separated by this crisis reflects the important role played by the State of Qatar, its international credibility with various parties, its enduring commitment to promoting peace, security, and stability in the region and the world, and its full readiness to play a constructive and effective role in the various crises and conflicts facing the region and the world.
The State of Qatar seeks to continue its role in facilitating more family reunification, given its significant success in this regard. This step represents a distinctive model of effective diplomacy that places human interests above all other considerations. This approach makes the State of Qatar a key player in efforts to achieve peace around the world.
At various regional and international events and conferences, the State of Qatar reiterates its full support for all international efforts aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the Russian-Ukrainian crisis through dialogue and peaceful means. This stance stems from Qatar's strong relations with both Russia and Ukraine, which are built on solid foundations of mutual respect, friendship, and shared interests.
The State of Qatar's efforts towards the Russian-Ukrainian crisis are internationally respected and appreciated, particularly by the parties to the conflict. This recognition is rooted in the practical support provided by the State of Qatar in reuniting children affected by the conflict, as part of its commitment to supporting efforts aimed at de-escalating the crisis, which align with the broader goals of the international community to reach a permanent ceasefire between the two sides.