Zelensky leads delegation to Qatar on state trip

President Zelensky led a state delegation to Qatar on
Apr. 4. According to a readout of an interview with Qatari press released on
the president’s website, he made the trip to sign documents related to
security, trade, and the mutual recognition of documents.

In particular, Zelensky pointed to Qatari investments
into ports, and Ukraine’s further opening in terms of big-ticket
privatizations. Developing agricultural trade ties also featured in talks.

James Hydzik: President Zelensky has been criticized from some quarters regarding
this visit in the face of the Russian military build up. Canceling the trip at
this stage would have sent the wrong message, however, on several levels.
First, it would signal instability to a partner in port development. Second, it
would hijack the plans of a government without making any decisive moves;
Ukrainian governments for the foreseeable future can count on having to juggle
external military threats with other priorities and not be totally transfixed
on troop movements. The president understood that the show must go on.