Qatar heads to Russia to talk Ukraine, Iran deal

The United States has officially designated Qatar as a major non-NATO ally. Doha has been helping Washington by serving as a back channel with Tehran when needed. Doha also acted as mediator between the West and the Taliban.

A source said Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, whose gas producing country is a US ally, would meet with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

Russia wants guarantees that its trade with Iran will not be affected by sanctions imposed on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine — a demand Western powers say is unacceptable and Washington has insisted it will not agree to.

So, what’s the purpose of the visit of Qatar to Russia?