RIYADH (dpa-AFX) – The Russian President Wladimir Putin coordinated with the oil states United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia on one of his rare foreign trips. In the Saudi capital Riyadh on Wednesday, Putin spoke primarily with the crown prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman.
Putin emphasized the close ties between Russia and the Saudi kingdom. “Nothing can disturb the development of our friendly relations,” he said, according to the Tass agency. He also agreed with the Crown Prince that a next meeting should take place in Moscow.
Although Russia is not part of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), it works closely with the cartel as OPEC+ to achieve higher prices. Putin and Mohammed emphasized the shared responsibility for a “predictable international energy market,” as Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. According to him, the president and the crown prince also spoke about the situation in the Gaza war. However, Peskov did not give any details.
In a background on relations with Russia, the state-run Saudi news agency SPA explained the stance on Moscow’s war of aggression against Ukraine: Saudi Arabia has always maintained contact with the leadership in Moscow and Kiev and has supported humanitarian initiatives. The Kingdom believes in a peaceful solution through dialogue; That’s why it also hosted a Ukraine conference in August.
During his short trip, Putin was received by President Mohammed bin Sajid in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was about “various regional and international issues,” as the state news agency WAM reported. Both countries have spoken out in favor of a ceasefire for a “lasting and comprehensive peace” in the Gaza war. The basis would have to be the two-state solution. According to Putin, the UAE is Russia’s most important trading partner in the Arab region.
Because of the war against Ukraine, the Kremlin chief’s foreign contacts are limited. The visit to the Gulf is the first since the war began in 2022 that is not aimed at direct allies such as China, Belarus or Kazakhstan./arj/DP/ngu