Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied that the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani did not come to the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) because of his personal meeting with Russian head of state Vladimir Putin could not be coordinated. Speaking to reporters on Monday, the Kremlin spokesman assured that a full-fledged visit by the foreign leader to Russia could take place after restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic are lifted.
"No, of course," Peskov responded to a media question about whether it was true that the emir of Qatar did not come to the SPIEF because a personal meeting with Putin had not been scheduled.
The Kremlin spokesman recalled that because of the coronavirus pandemic, "certain restrictions continue to be in effect in many different countries of the world." "These restrictions simply did not allow for a full working visit of the Qatari leader to the Russian Federation," the presidential spokesman explained. "As soon as conditions allow, this visit will definitely take place," he assured.
Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz took part in the plenary session of the SPIEF on June 4 via video conference. The Russian president spoke at this session in person.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Alexander Shcherbak / TASS
Based on materials from TASS