Russia–Saudi Arabia relations
Russia |
Saudi Arabia |
---|---|
Diplomatic mission | |
Embassy of Russia, Riyadh | Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Moscow |
Envoy | |
Ambassador Sergei Kozlov | Ambassador Raid bin Khalid Krimli |
Russia–Saudi Arabia relations (
Saudi Arabia and the Soviet Union
The first country to establish full diplomatic relations with the
However, relations cooled later on; in 1932, the Soviet Muslims were unofficially banned from performing Hajj. Khakimov returned to Jeddah as the Head of Mission in 1935, and tried to renew the relationship, but Moscow was no longer interested in new trade contracts.
Relations were especially strained from 1979, during the Soviet–Afghan War, with Saudi Arabia supporting the Afghan Mujahideen in close cooperation with the United States.
Diplomatic relations were only reestablished in 1992, after the
Saudi Arabia and Russia
In the first 25 years since establishment in 1992, Russian-Saudi relations never developed beyond symbolic visits. Though during Saudi
Russian President Vladimir Putin met King Abdullah in Riyadh during a high level delegation visit on 11–12 February 2007.[7] It was the first official visit for a Russian leader to the Kingdom. The visit was an opportunity for Moscow to improve its relations with Riyadh regarding various areas, including regional security issues, energy, trade, transportation, scientific cooperation and exchanges. King Abdullah's visit to Russia in 2003, as Crown Prince, was an opening in high level contacts between the countries which did not have diplomatic ties from 1938 until 1990.[8]
Syrian Civil War, military cooperation
Relations between the two countries became strained during the
In February 2016, Saudi Arabia offered for the first time to send ground troops to Syria; a Saudi official confirmed that Riyadh had sent warplanes to
Relations improved significantly in 2017 as Russia's influence in the Middle East rose following military success in Syria as a result of its
Russia and Saudi Arabia have taken similar approaches to North Africa, strongly supporting the military rule of
Coordination on oil markets (2016–2022)
In early September 2016, following a meeting between Russian president Vladimir Putin and Saudi deputy crown prince
In May 2017, the two countries agreed to extend the oil production cuts until March 2018.[28][29][30]
On 5 March 2020, OPEC cut its total production of oil, and called upon OPEC+ participants, including Russia, to do the same. Russia rejected the demand to cut oil production the following day, marking the end of the unofficial partnership with OPEC.
The relations between Russia and
Other events
During 2017, Saudi Arabia encouraged the United States to remove sanctions on Russia pertaining to its activity in Ukraine in exchange for Russian assistance in ending the Iranian military presence in Syria.[39]
Russia has remained neutral between Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the Qatar diplomatic crisis, offering to mediate in July 2017.[40]
In December 2017, Russia withdrew diplomatic representation from the
From December 2017 onward, Saudi Arabia abandoned its past support for UN resolutions condemning the
In August 2018, Russia backed Saudi Arabia in its dispute with Canada, with Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stating that "the politicization of human rights matters is unacceptable".[44]
In the aftermath of the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018, Putin stated that Russia "cannot start deteriorating relations" with Saudi Arabia as "it did not know what really happened."[45] His press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, later added that there was "no reason basically not to believe" the official statements issued by Saudi Arabia on the matter.[46]
In December 2018, Russian deputy foreign minister
In October 2021, Russia voted against a Dutch resolution in the
Relations post Russian invasion of Ukraine
In February 2022, the gas prices soared to their highest level in more than seven years. While the conflict in Ukraine was being considered the major reason behind the spiking gas prices, it was also due to the thriving relations between Saudi and Russia as the leaders of OPEC+. Meanwhile, the relations between MBS and Joe Biden soured, as Biden refused to meet with MBS due to his alleged complicity in the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi. In January 2022, the Saudi king also refused Joe Biden's plea to increase oil production, which indirectly profited Russia.
On 6 March 2022, six Russian defense companies sanctioned by the United States and Britain reportedly exhibited weapons at the World Defense Show held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The arms fair featured Russian companies like Rosoboronexport, which is sanctioned by the United States along with Britain sanctioned UralVagonZavod and state-funded manufacturing firm, Rostec. A source close to the British defense industry cited concerns regarding the presence of Russian firms at the arms fair in Riyadh, considering the siege of Ukraine. The event was organized and run by the state-backed General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), responsible for the regulation of defense firms within the country. Defense analysts expected a sharp increase in the sale of arms at the fair following the special military operation in Ukraine by Russia.[50]
On 13 July 2022, the Kremlin expressed hope that a visit by
In early April 2023, the lead frigate of
On 23 August 2023, at the 15th BRICS summit, Russia along with the other members of BRICS formally invited Saudi Arabia to join the organization. Saudi Arabia will be a full member starting 1 January 2024.[53]
Saudi state visit to Russia (October 2017)
On 4 October 2017, a three-day visit of King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to Russia began, the first official trip to Russia (or the USSR) by a reigning Saudi monarch.[54] The planned visit had been hailed by media as an unexpected rapprochement between the two foes, and by Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry — as "historic".[9][55] The sheer fact of the King's visit was interpreted by American media as suggesting that the Saudi government, a close ally of the United States for more than 70 years, was pursuing a more independent role in the U.S.-Russian geopolitical rivalry.[56][57][58]
On the first day of negotiations, a package of bilateral documents was signed[59] that ranged from oil, military and space exploration.[60][61] The weapons deals worth three billion dollars to be finalised at the end of October 2017, in line with Saudi Arabia's bid to localise arms manufacturing, envisaged the possibility of transfer of technology for the local production of Russian Kornet-EM anti-tank missiles, TOS-1A rocket launchers and AGS-30 automatic grenade launchers, the latest version of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, and long-range S-400 missile system.[62][63][64][65] Saudi Arabia agreed to invest one billion dollars in Russian energy projects, and Russian gas processing and petrochemicals company Sibur committed to build a plant in Saudi Arabia in a separate 1.1 bln agreement.[66] Regarding an oil output cut deal extension to the end of 2018 that had been floated as a possibility by Vladimir Putin a day prior to the talks with the King,[67] after the talks the Kremlin stressed that Vladimir Putin had not proposed the extension but allowed it as a possibility, subject to market conditions.[68][69] Russian media and experts made much of the Saudi foreign minister's remark about prospects of the Russia sanctions being lifted but also cautioned that real cooperation between the counties had yet to materialise.[70]
It was reported that during the King Salman's visit Russia had made a request that Saudi Arabia participate in the rebuilding of Syria when hostilities were over.[71]
Coalition against Turkey
Deterioration in relations between Saudi Arabia and Turkey as well as Russia's long skepticism and distrust toward Ankara, especially since Recep Tayyip Erdoğan openly supported Turkish expansionism resulted in growing relationship between Riyadh and Moscow. Russia and Saudi Arabia have together backed Khalifa Haftar's forces, House of Representatives, in Libya against Turkey-backed Government of National Accord; and Saudi Arabia also backed Russian intervention in Syria for the first time.[72][73]
In September 2020, during the
Resident diplomatic missions
- Russia has an embassy in Riyadh and a consulate-general in Jeddah.
- Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Moscow.
-
Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Moscow
See also
- Foreign relations of Russia
- Foreign relations of Saudi Arabia
- Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Moscow
- List of ambassadors of Saudi Arabia to Russia
- List of Ambassadors of Russia to Saudi Arabia
References
- RoutledgeCurzon, 2005. p. 9.
- ^ Al Kahtani, Mohammad Zaid (December 2004). "The Foreign Policy of King Abdulaziz" (PDF). University of Leeds. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- JSTOR 1148544.
- ^ a b c d e Barmin, Yury (October 15, 2017). "Russia: How Moscow lost Riyadh in 1938". Al Jazeera. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
- The Library of Congress. December 1992. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
- ISBN 978-0-415-08275-4. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
- ^ President Vladimir Putin and King of Saudi Arabia Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud held talks in Riyadh kremlin.ru, 11 February 2007.
- ^ Putin 1st Russian Leader to Visit Saudis WP, 11 February 2007.
- ^ a b Saudi king to make historic visit to Russia The National, 30 September 2017.
- ^ Saudi Oil Is Seen as Lever to Pry Russian Support From Syria’s Assad NYT, 3 February 2015.
- ^ Military moves: Turkey and Saudi Arabia close ranks on Syria Al Arabiya, 17 February 2016.
- ^ Saudi Arabia offers to send ground troops to Syria to fight Isis The Guardian, 4 February 2017.
- ^ Захарова о планах Эр-Рияда воевать в Сирии: в Йемене всех победили? RIA Novosti, 4 February 2016.
- ^ Saudi king’s visit expected to strengthen ties with Russia FT, 4 October 2017.
- ^ Russia's Putin, Saudi prince praise dialogue on oil, Syria Reuters, 30 May 2017.
- ^ Встреча с преемником наследного принца, министром обороны Саудовской Аравии Мухаммедом бен Сальманом Аль Саудом kremlin.ru, 30 May 2017.
- ^ Saudi's powerful young royal meets Putin in Russia Al Arabiya, 30 May 2017.
- ^ "Saudi-Russian relations: between Assad and Sisi". Al Arabiya. 18 August 2013.
- ^ "Libyan war: Where key international players stand". TRT World. 22 June 2020.
- ^ "Le Monde: Saudi Arabia funded Russian Wagner mercenaries' operations in support of Haftar in Libya". Libya Al Ahrar TV. January 26, 2020.
- ^ Meeting with Deputy Crown Prince, Defence Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud kremlin.ru
- ^ Saudi Arabia, Russia sign oil pact, may limit output in future reuters, 5 September 2016.
- ^ Meeting with Deputy Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud kremlin.ru, 4 September 2016.
- ^ Russia and Others Join OPEC in Rare, Coordinated Push to Cut Oil Output NYT, 10 December 2016.
- ^ Exclusive: How Putin, Khamenei and Saudi prince got OPEC deal done Reuters, 1 December 2016.
- ^ OPEC reaches a deal to cut production The Economist, 3 December 2016.
- ^ A young prince is reimagining Saudi Arabia. Can he make his vision come true? WP, 20 April 2017.
- ^ As Their Clout Wanes, Saudi Arabia and Russia Extend Oil Production Cuts NYT, 15 May 2017.
- ^ Saudi Arabia, Russia push to extend oil output cut until March 2018 Reuters, 15 May 2017.
- ^ Oil price slides as Opec production cuts fail to impress markets The Guardian, 25 May 2016.
- ^ a b Johnson, Keith (6 March 2020). "Russia's Defiance Sets the Stage for Oil Price 'Bloodbath'". Foreign Policy. The FP Group. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia and Russia feud over coronavirus oil response: Will everyone lose?". Atlantic Council. 9 March 2020.
- ^ "Russia and Saudi Arabia spark unprecedented oil war amid coronavirus threats". Fox News. 9 March 2020.
- ^ Turak, Natasha (8 March 2020). "Oil nose-dives as Saudi Arabia and Russia set off 'scorched earth' price war". www.cnbc.com. NBCUniversal. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- ^ "Kremlin on Trump: We don't need anyone to intervene in our oil ties with Saudi Arabia". Reuters. 2020-03-20. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
- ^ "Exclusive: Saudi Arabia doubles second-quarter Russian fuel oil imports for power generation". Reuters. 15 July 2022.
- ^ "Putin discusses oil market with Saudi crown prince who hosted Biden last week". Reuters. 21 July 2022.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Holding invests in Russian energy companies" Reuters. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ "Israeli, Saudi, and Emirati Officials Privately Pushed for Trump to Strike a "Grand Bargain" with Putin". The New Yorker. 9 July 2018.
- ^ "Russia ready to help mediate in Qatar row if asked: Lavrov". Reuters. July 24, 2017 – via www.reuters.com.
- ^ "Is Russia warming up to the Houthis?". Al-Monitor. 16 January 2019.
- ^ "Problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly". United Nations. 19 December 2018.
- ^ "Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly". United Nations. 19 December 2017.
- ^ "Russia chides Canada over row with Saudi Arabia". Reuters. 8 August 2018.
- Times of India. 18 October 2018.
- ^ "Erdogan demands Saudi Arabia reveal the location of Jamal Khashoggi's body". CNN. 26 October 2018.
- ^ "Exclusive: After Khashoggi murder, some Saudi royals turn against king's favourite son". Reuters. 19 November 2018.
- ^ "Russia Warns U.S. Against Interfering With the Saudi Royal Succession". Fortune. 26 December 2018.
- ^ "UN Human Rights Council votes to end Yemen probe". 11 October 2021.
- ^ Gartside, Ben (7 March 2022). "Sanctioned Russian defence companies attend major arms fair in Riyadh". The Telegraph. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
- ^ "Kremlin hopes Biden will not seek to turn Saudi Arabia against Russia" Reuters -Middle East-. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ "Frigate armed with hypersonic missile in Jeddah" WION (by Disha Shah). Accessed 8 April 2023.
- ^ "BRICS announce major expansion with 6 countries joining in 2024". ABC News.
- ^ Saudi Arabia seeks stronger relations with Russia — King Salman TASS, 5 October 2017.
- ^ Saudi's king in Moscow: An unexpected rapprochement: Old foes Saudi and Russia disagree on Syria, but a historic visit by the Gulf monarch may reset relations. Al Jazeera, 4 October 2017.
- ^ Putin Welcomes Saudi Arabia Into His Middle East Sphere of Influence Time, 5 October 2017.
- ^ Russia rolls out the red carpet for Saudi king with billion-dollar deals on the table CNBC, 5 October 2017.
- ^ Why Washington will be watching the Saudi king’s visit to Moscow WP, 4 October 2017.
- ^ Документы, подписанные по итогам российско-саудовских переговоров kremlin.ru, 5 October 2017.
- ^ Saudi king's visit to Russia heralds shift in global power structures: King Salman agrees new areas of cooperation with Vladimir Putin on first official trip by Saudi monarch to Moscow The Guardian, 5 October 2017.
- ^ Saudi king, Putin agree deals on historic Russia trip: Russia and Saudi Arabia announce large investment agreements and joint ventures to further cement relations. Al Jazeera, 6 October 2017.
- ^ Russia Signs S-400 Missiles Deal With Saudi Arabia The Moscow Times, 9 October 2017.
- ^ Putin and Saudi king turn the page on decades of tensions WP, 5 October 2017.
- ^ Эр-Рияд получит огня, ракет и гранат: Россия и Саудовская Аравия как никогда сблизились в вопросах поставок С-400 Kommersant, 6 October 2017.
- ^ Saudi Arabia and Russia sign arms deal Euronews, 6 October 2017.
- ^ Saudi king signs lucrative deals on landmark Russia visit BBC, 5 October 2017.
- ^ Путин не исключил продления соглашения с ОПЕК Rossiyskaya Gazeta, 4 October 2017.
- ^ Putin did not propose extending oil output cut deal: Kremlin Reuters, 6 October 2017.
- ^ Путин и король Саудовской Аравии обсуждали ситуацию на рынке нефти TASS, 6 October 2017.
- ^ "Не этикет, а новая реальность": эксперт оценил "саудовский подход" к решению вопроса о снятии санкций с РФ rueconomics.ru, 7 October 2017.
- ^ Robert Fisk. Vladimir Putin is positioning himself as the main player in the Middle East: It would be Russia who does the rebuilding of Syria after the war and Saudi Arabia who paid for it. The two vast oil nations now seem to be set on a course of mutual collaboration. So much for Trump’s $300bn weapons deal with the king The Independent, 19 October 2017.
- ^ "Revealed: Saudi's MBS pushed Russia to intervene in Syria conflict, despite supporting opposition". 7 August 2020.
- ^ "Le Monde: Saudi Arabia funds Russian mercenaries in Libya | the Libya Observer". 23 January 2024.
- ^ "Adarpress - President of Armenia: Turkey supports Azerbaijan with F-16 fighters". www.adarpress.net. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
External links
- (in Russian) Documents on the Russia – Saudi Arabia relationship at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Diplomatic missions
- (in Arabic and Russian) Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in The Russian Federation
- (in Russian) Consulate-General of Russia in Jeddah