Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed Saudi-Russian relations with President Vladimir Putin following statements from the Biden administration regarding the Kingdom.
The official Saudi Press Agency reported that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman conducted a phone call with President Vladimir Putin on Monday evening, during which they reviewed bilateral relations and regional and international issues. The agency stated that the call included an overview of the relations between the two countries and ways to enhance and develop them across various fields. They also discussed regional and international developments, addressing several issues of mutual interest. It was emphasized that both sides will continue to coordinate efforts to support the stability of oil markets and the growth of the global economy.
A statement from the Russian presidency (Kremlin) indicated that both parties reaffirmed their intention to maintain close coordination to stabilize energy markets. They also discussed the progress of the "OPEC Plus" deal. Both Moscow and Riyadh expressed interest in enhancing cooperation in trade, economic, and investment fields. The call also addressed measures against the COVID-19 pandemic and the possibility of using Russian COVID-19 vaccines in Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, the statement noted that Putin and bin Salman also discussed regional files, particularly the situation in Syria and the Arabian Gulf region. This call between Mohammed bin Salman and Putin came after White House spokesperson Jen Psaki stated last Friday that the Biden administration was reviewing American policy toward Saudi Arabia and that there were no plans for a call with the Saudi Crown Prince at the current time.
