Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to energy-producing countries present at the Doha Forum in Qatar on Saturday, asking them to hike oil and gas output to avoid Russia’s global stronghold. 

Speaking to the forum virtually, he said “The future of Europe rests on your efforts, I ask you to increase the output of energy to ensure that everyone in Russia understands that you cannot use energy as a weapon”, and added, “[Qatar] can make their contribution to the stabilization of Europe”. 

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Notably, the oil ban on Russia has had an impact on the global economy with rising oil prices. The US was the first to impose this sanction and has largely received support among Americans, who are willing to pay higher prices so Russia faces the consequences of invading Ukraine. The European Union (EU) is also expected to follow suit and is looking to gradually phase out its dependence on Russian oil and gas. 

However, even with the lines being drawn, there are some countries that continue depending on Russia’s energy sources, and some that are considering it as a cheaper alternative in face of rising costs. For example, China relies on Russia’s oil and gas, as Reuters reported, and India might be looking towards Russian crude oil to combat the price hike. 

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Apart from speaking of the energy issue, Zelensky also spoke about the food crisis that’d impact nations if the war in Ukraine continued. Considered to be the breadbasket of the world, it has already been predicted that several nations that rely on Ukraine for their grains will face a crisis due to the current invasion. 

Zelensky has long raised the point of food, even with India, when trying to rally international support when President Vladimir Putin first sent in troops to “denazify” and “demilitarize” the neighbouring country.