Ukraine’s Zelenskyy delivers surprise speech at Doha Forum

By Ibrahim Mukhtar

ANKARA (AA) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a surprise video speech to the Doha Forum international conference on Saturday, calling for more efforts to end Russia’s aggression on his country.

"Russia is deliberately bragging they can destroy with nuclear weapons, not only a certain country but the entire planet," Zelenskyy said.

"We have to ensure this sacred month of Ramadan is not overshadowed by the misery of people in Ukraine,” he added.

The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan is due to start next week.

The Ukrainian leader also called on energy producing countries to hike productions so that Russia cannot use its oil and gas wealth to “blackmail” other nations.

“The future of Europe depends on your effort,” Zelenskyy said. “I ask you to increase your energy output to ensure that everyone in Russia understands that no country can use energy as a weapon to blackmail the world.”

Zelenskyy also warned that no country is immune from the shocks of the impact of the Russian war on his country, citing the hike in food prices caused by disruption in the supply of wheat.

"They are destroying our ports," Zelenskyy said. "The absence of exports from Ukraine will deal a blow to countries worldwide."

Russia is the world’s largest exporter of wheat, and Ukraine is the fifth-largest. Together, they provide 19% of the world’s barley supply, 14% of wheat, and 4% of maize, making up more than one-third of global cereal exports.

The 20th edition of the Doha Forum kicked off in the Qatari capital on Saturday. The two-day program is attended by prominent speakers, including policy-makers, representatives of international organizations, business leaders, activists and the academia among others.

Addressing the opening session, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said the Russian war on Ukraine has shown “beyond any doubt that the formulas upon which the international order was based in the aftermath of World War II - and after the end of the Cold War are changing.”

Russia began its war on Feb. 24. It has been met with international outrage, with the EU, US, and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,081 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 1,707 injured, according to UN estimates, while noting that the true figure is likely far higher.

More than 3.7 million Ukrainians have also fled to neighboring countries, with over 6.5 million displaced inside the country, according to the UN refugee agency.