By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Thursday for his active assistance in humanitarian issues related to the conflict in Ukraine.
Speaking at a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, Putin acknowledged that Qatar's mediation has enabled children from Russia and Ukraine to be reunited with their families.
The Russian president also commended Qatar's efforts in Gaza, calling Qatar "one of the most effective mediators in the Middle East crisis between Hamas and Israel."
"Russia is also making efforts to resolve this crisis, which, in our deep conviction, can be fundamentally resolved only by implementing the relevant UN decisions, particularly the creation of two states -- Israel and Palestine," Putin said.
Sheikh Tamim, in turn, thanked Russia for its support in joining the SCO Plus format, which allows non-members to participate in the organization's activities.
The emir pledged to continue humanitarian efforts in both Gaza and Ukraine.
"You mentioned the crisis in Gaza, the war that is currently taking place there. As I have already said, we strive to end this conflict through talks between the interested parties. We want a cease-fire, the war to be stopped. We wish for the return of the arrested and detained persons, Israeli captives, and representatives of other states to their families," he stressed.
He noted that Qatar's position on establishing a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders aligns with that of Russia.
"What is happening now is unacceptable. The destruction in the Gaza Strip, the tens of thousands of children, women, and civilians who have died as a result of these events is deeply concerning.
"Our primary goal is to end the war, and secondly, to implement the existing international legal framework," he said.
The two leaders also exchanged of invitations to visit each other's countries.