Qatar–Russia relations

Soviet-era relations

Following Saudi Arabia's lead, Qatar refused for many years to have diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union. This changed in the summer of 1988, when diplomatic relations between the two states were established on 2 August. The Soviet Union opened its embassy in Doha on 12 November 1989, and Qatar opened its embassy in Moscow on 14 November 1989.

Diplomatic ties

On 26 December 1991, Qatar recognised the Russian Federation as the successor state to the Soviet Union, after the latter's dissolution. Russia has an embassy in Doha, and Qatar has an embassy in Moscow. The current Ambassador of Russia to Qatar is Andrey Vladimirovich Andreyev, who was appointed by President Vladimir Putin on 17 July 2005. The current Ambassador of Qatar to Russia is Ahmed Saif Al-Midhadi, who appointed his Letters of Credence to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on 27 February 2009.

Political ties

Relations became strained after Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev was assassinated in Qatar on 13 February 2004. On the third anniversary of Yandarbiyev's death, Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to Qatar on a state visit, where he was received by Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

On November 29, 2011, Russian Ambassador to Qatar, Vladimir Titorenko, was allegedly assaulted by Qatar airport security and customs officers when he refused to have his valise scanned at the airport. Relations again became strained on February 7, 2012, when reportedly, after a diplomat from Qatar warned Russia of losing the support of Arab League about upcoming resolution on the Syrian uprising, which Russia and China later vetoed, the answer came harsh from Russian ambassador Vitaly Churkin who replied that If you talk to me like that, there will be no Qatar today and boasted about Russian military superiority over Qatar. Later, Russia denied all these accusations.

Economic ties

Russian and Qatar gas producers agree to develop oil refineries in Yamal Peninsula along with halal reindeer meat.