Foreign Affairs

bemildred

(90,061 posts) Thu Jun 18, 2015, 10:56 AM Jun 2015

Russia seeks to boost ties with Saudi Arabia amid Syria tensions

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Saudi Arabia's defence minister this week in a meeting aimed at boosting bilateral ties after years of tensions over Syria, his aide said Wednesday.

Putin will meet Prince Mohammed bin Salman, believed to be a favoured son of King Salman, on Thursday on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, the Kremlin's top foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov said.

Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed, aged 29 according to the website of the Saudi embassy in the US, was elevated to the post of defence minister the day Salman acceded to the throne in January.

Ushakov said Putin and the Saudi prince would discuss a range of international issues including the Syria crisis and the fight against Islamic State radicals as well as ramping up economic ties.

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=71808

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Russia seeks to boost ties with Saudi Arabia amid Syria tensions (Original Post) bemildred Jun 2015 OP

UPDATE 1-Russia, Saudi Arabia to discuss broad oil cooperation agreement bemildred Jun 2015 #1

Saudi king accepts Putin's invitation to visit Russia — deputy crown prince bemildred Jun 2015 #2

bemildred

(90,061 posts)

1. UPDATE 1-Russia, Saudi Arabia to discuss broad oil cooperation agreement

Reply to bemildred (Original post)

Thu Jun 18, 2015, 10:58 AM

Jun 2015

(Reuters) - The oil ministers of Russia and Saudi Arabia plan to discuss a broad cooperation agreement on Thursday at an economic forum in St Petersburg, two sources told Reuters.

Saudi Arabia is the top producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and the world's top oil exporter, while Russia, which is not an OPEC member, is the second biggest oil supplier to the global markets.

One source said the agreement to be discussed between Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak and Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi would not be about joint oil production or export strategy.

Russia has stepped up contacts with OPEC after oil prices plunged last year, but it has dismissed any suggestion it might cut output to prop up prices. OPEC has also refused to curb its output in order to defend market share.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/06/18/russia-crisis-forum-saudi-idUKL5N0Z425Y20150618

bemildred

(90,061 posts)

2. Saudi king accepts Putin's invitation to visit Russia — deputy crown prince

Reply to bemildred (Original post)

Thu Jun 18, 2015, 10:59 AM

Jun 2015

STRELNA, June 18. /TASS/. King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia has accepted President Vladimir Putin's invitation to visit Russia, Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Dinister Mohammad bin Salman said on Thursday.

"The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques confirms that he accepts the invitation to visit Russia," the prince said.

He has also invited Putin to visit Saudi Arabia on behalf of the king. The Russian leader said he would be happy to visit the country.

"I remember the warm reception I received in Saudi Arabia," Putin said.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/801950

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