Russia escalating nuclear arms race, says Zelensky

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Doha Forum on Saturday that Russia’s “bragging” about its nuclear weapons is fueling a hazardous arms race.

To oppose Russian efforts to use energy as a weapon, Zelensky also urged Qatar, which hosts the annual meeting of international political and economic leaders, to enhance natural gas output.

“They are bragging that they can destroy with nuclear weapons not only a certain country but the entire planet,” Zelensky said in a live video message to the forum on the 31st day of the Russian military assault against his country.

When Ukraine dismantled its nuclear stockpile in the 1990s it was given “security assurances from the most powerful countries in the world”, including Russia, he said in comments translated into English for the conference.

“But these assurances did not become guarantees. And in fact, one of the countries supposed to give one of the greatest security promises started to work against Ukraine and this is the ultimate manifestation of injustice,” Zelensky added.

Zelensky also called on Qatar, one of the world’s top three producers of natural gas, to increase production because of the conflict.

“The future of Europe rests with your efforts,” he told the audience that included the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

“It depends on your output. I ask you to increase the output of energy to ensure that everyone in Russia understands that no country can use energy as a weapon.”

European nations have decided not to import gas and oil from Russia. They have turned to Qatar for alternative supplies.

Following a visit by German ministers, Qatar said this week that it has committed to building two massive facilities to accept liquefied gas from Germany.

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