Read original article by Joel Gehrke on the Washington Examiner or read some of the key points below;
- “Russian President Vladimir Putin wasted no time in meeting with Saudi Arabian officials, just days after President Trump’s visit to Riyadh for his first foreign trip.”
- “Putin and Saudi Arabian Defense Minister Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud exchanged compliments and pledged themselves to increased economic cooperation in the energy industry, a major component of the Russian economy.”
- “”I would like to start our meeting by noting that relations between our countries are making steady headway,” Putin said”
- “Salman was even more effusive. “Today, relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia are going through one of the best stages,” he said, according to a translation posted by the Kremlin.”
- “Salman also said. “As for those issues on which we are divided, we have efficient mechanisms for overcoming our differences. We are moving ahead at a fast pace and the current visit will become a big achievement in consolidating relations between Russia and Saudi Arabia.”
- “First, Putin is always opportunistic,” a congressional Republican aide told the Washington Examiner. “And this is a good photo-op for bracketing purposes. Second, Saudi Arabia wants leverage by showing it has options. Especially as it pushes for air defense missiles to counter Iran. It wants THAAD and other high-tech systems from the U.S. that can be sensitive due to the need to keep Israel’s qualitative military edge.”
