Putin, Qatar Emir ready to contribute to Gaza de-escalation: Kremlin
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Putin held a phone conversation with the Qatari Emir, during which the two expressed concern over the resumption of "hostilities" in the Gaza Strip.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin enters a hall for the Security Council meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 21, 2025 (AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani expressed readiness to cooperate with mediators and contribute to de-escalation in Gaza amid the renewed Israeli assault on the strip, the Kremlin stated.
The Kremlin's announcement followed a phone call between Putin and the Emir of Qatar, during which they discussed the unfolding developments in Gaza, as "Israel" ramps up its assault on the Strip.
"Concern was expressed over the resumption of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, and the readiness of both countries to contribute to the de-escalation of tensions and long-term normalization in the region was emphasized," the Kremlin's statement said.
This comes amid a complete collapse of the ceasefire in Gaza, after the Israeli government relaunched its assault on the strip, airstriking and killing hundreds of Palestinian civilians.
Qatar, Russia vow to increase investment ties
The two leaders also agreed to undertake coordinated efforts aimed at strengthening investment ties and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in several sectors, according to the Kremlin.
"It was agreed to undertake coordinated efforts aimed at increasing investment ties and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in industry, energy, transport and logistics, culture and sports," the Kremlin noted.
Qatar, Egypt, push for urgent ceasefire talks
The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that Egypt and Qatar are urgently working to facilitate ceasefire talks in Cairo after "Israel" violated a truce agreement, triggering one of the deadliest days in the war on Gaza. The renewed Israeli offensive has led to hundreds of Palestinian casualties, with indiscriminate airstrikes reducing entire neighborhoods to rubble.
A former Egyptian official familiar with the discussions stated that Egypt and Qatar are working swiftly to establish contact with the Israeli side for an urgent ceasefire and to organize rapid meetings in Cairo aimed at progressing to the next phase, including the exchange of hostages and prisoners to facilitate peace.
Speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, the official added that Egypt is reaching out to the United States to exert pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the ceasefire.
US president 'fully supports' Israeli airstrikes
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Levitt revealed that US President Donald Trump "fully supports" the resumption of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, blaming Hamas for the assault on the strip, which has left hundreds of civilians murdered.
"He fully supports Israel and the IDF and the actions that they've taken in recent days," Leavitt told reporters on Thursday, adding that "the president made it very clear to Hamas that if they did not release all of the hostages there would be all hell to pay, and unfortunately, Hamas chose to play games in the media with lives."
Leavitt claimed that Hamas was entirely responsible for the events of October 7, 2023, and stated that Trump sought the release of all Israeli captives.
