In a strategic shift, Saudi Arabia turns towards Russia
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MOSCOW - Russia and Saudi Arabia have come a long way in terms of boosting bilateral relations in the past few years, from joint investments and cooperation in the field of energy to cultural projects and easing visa policies.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to Riyadh will become a culmination of this hard work, but there remains even greater untapped potential for cooperation.
As the presidential aide Yury Ushakov announced last Thursday, the Russian president is set to visit the Kingdom link October 14. This historic state visit may further boost the countries’ multifaceted partnership in the fields of energy, investments, industry, agriculture, infrastructure, transport, natural resources and modern technologies, and build on the success of Saudi Arabia King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud‘s visit to Moscow in October 2017.
During the visit next week, Moscow and Riyadh will be announcing new agreements worth over $2 billion, according to Kirill Dmitriev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).
The Soviet Union was the first country to recognise the independent Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd, which was renamed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932.
