MIDDLE EAST – UKRAINE The Gulf concerned about the energy challenge

The Emir of Qatar made an “urgent” appeal to Russia and Brussels to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine. Al Thani said that stocks are not enough to “replace” Russian gas, which remains “essential for the world market.” A game that also attracts the interest (and propaganda) of Iran, ready to open the taps if the sanctions are lifted.

Doha () – The emir of Qatar has launched an “urgent” appeal to Russia and the West, stating that Doha – although rich in raw materials – cannot by itself meet European demands for gas and energy, after the collapse of the supplies from Moscow in response to sanctions from Brussels over the war in Ukraine. The warning once again shows the concern of the Gulf countries – and of the Middle East in general – regarding the conflict, which seriously endangers both food reserves (mainly wheat and cereals) and energy supplies, with the risk of collapsing the world economy, already affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In an interview with Le Point, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani confirmed the strong impact of the Russian war in Ukraine, although the oil and gas supply chains were already in a critical situation. “We want to help Europe -said the emir- and we will supply gas in the coming years. But it is not true that we are able to replace Russian gas.” Because, he added he, “this is essential for the global market”.

Qatar has one of the largest natural gas reserves in the world, but right now most of it goes to the Chinese and Asian markets. The emir does not spare criticism of the Western policies that have imposed sanctions against the Kremlin: “We must be cautious – he added – with respect to the type of sanctions adopted, because they can complicate the situation throughout the world.” Lastly, he called for an end to the conflict: “The most important thing -he concluded- is that we are all suffering from the situation, both at an energy and food level. That is why we must end this war in Ukraine.”

The words of the emir of Qatar show once again the effects on a global scale of the conflict unleashed by Moscow and the attention with which its evolution is followed in the Middle East, at the forefront of energy supply, including oil. In this regard, the European Union’s need to turn to other sources has once again brought to the fore the fundamental role and strategic importance of the Gulf countries, from Qatar to the Emirates, which have now become valuable interlocutors and partners in the economic, energy and political fields.

The difficulties that Europe is going through and the prospect of a winter with cuts and rationing is an opportunity to try to open new doors. In recent days, Iran has also moved its chips to enter the game, stating that it is willing to meet energy needs in exchange for the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal – canceled by Trump and long the subject of negotiations to reinstate it, which are currently stalled – and the lifting of sanctions on Tehran. The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Nasser Kanani – reported by the Mehr news agency – pointed out that “European countries face energy supply problems” and “if the negotiation is successful and unilateral sanctions against our country are eliminated, Iran can satisfy a large part of Europe’s needs.” “The Islamic Republic – the official concluded – is one of the most important countries for energy supply” and “has maintained its presence in the market despite the harsh sanctions”. dictated by propaganda and opportunism, of course, but which reveal how fundamental the energy issue is and how many actors -and factors- are at stake.