Saudi King Arrives in Moscow

King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia arrived in Moscow on Wednesday, October 4, for negotiations with Russian officials. According to the Associated Press, this visit is significant in the relations between Riyadh and Moscow as it marks the first visit of a Saudi king to Russia in the history of the two countries' relations. During his four-day visit, King Salman is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. The Associated Press reports that topics such as the status of oil prices in global markets and the Syrian civil war will be key points of discussion between the Saudi king and the Russian president. In this context, the Kremlin has also announced that Putin and King Salman will discuss issues related to the Middle East and North Africa, particularly the conflicts in the region. Saudi Arabia and Russia have disagreements over the war in Syria, with Russia intervening in support of Bashar al-Assad since 2015, while Saudi Arabia supports the opposition to the Syrian government. However, relations between Moscow and Riyadh have improved over the past year. The cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia has led these two countries, along with other oil-producing nations, to agree on a production cut plan aimed at stabilizing and increasing prices. King Salman is also expected to meet with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Friday. Alexander Novak, the Russian energy minister, stated on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia will invest one billion dollars in Russia's energy sector, although he did not provide further details on this investment. King Salman will leave Russia on Saturday.