Facing an orchestrated attempt by various Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia to isolate it, the Kingdom of Qatar has looked for help to Russia.
Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has telephoned Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in what is clearly a call for help. Here is how TASS, Russia’s official news agency, reports the call
The parties paid special attention to the rising tensions between Qatar and some other Arab countries,” the statement reads.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the conversation was initiated by Qatar.
The parties “expressed serious concern over a new hotspot of tensions emerging in the Arab world.” “Lavrov said that difficulties should be overcome at the negotiating table, through a dialogue based on mutual respect in the face of unprecedented challenges, particularly the threat of terrorism,” the statement adds.
(bold italics added)
The Russians are unlikely to intervene overtly in this inter-Arab quarrel. They have been working hard recently to build good relations with Saudi Arabia, whose de facto leader Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently met Putin in Moscow, and which has considering investment in Russia’s Arctic oil resources.
However the highlighted words show clearly that the Russians disapprove of what the Saudis have done. Obviously there cannot be “a dialogue based on mutual respect” when all communications have been severed.
In order not to annoy the Saudis the Russians will not take any immediate action to help Qatar. However the Qataris will appreciate Lavrov’s comments, and once the hysteria dies down it is likely the Russians will put in a few quiet words with the Saudis on the need to back off and to give Qatar, which despite its diminutive size is a force to be reckoned with in the Arab world, a break.
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