Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Saudi Arabia, a crucial European Council meeting opens in Brussels ahead of the Brexit deadline, and China observes its sixth National Poverty Alleviation Day.

Putin will pay a state visit to Saudi Arabia on October 14, a chance to deepen their cooperation on energy and boost Russia's arms sales to the Middle Eastern country. 

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) expects to sign 10 agreements with a total value of over two billion U.S. dollars during Putin's state visit, according to the RDIF head. An RDIF delegation will join Putin's tour.

The planned visit is the first by Putin since 2007 and will include a meeting with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as well as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

Syria peace process and the Iran crisis are expected to be on the agenda.

Read more:

Is Russia widening its footprints in the Middle East?

Will Putin succeed in selling Russia's S-400 to Saudi Arabia?

If the Brexit stalemate is not broken at the European Council meeting on Thursday, a law recently passed by British parliament dictates that London must ask the EU to extend the October 31 deadline to January 31 – a period in which a national election may be held to try to break the Brexit deadlock.

If the EU is to make a breakthrough concession, it will require the blessing of the bloc's two most influential members Germany and France, who will hold their annual summit a day before the EU meeting.

The summit agenda is expected also to include the bloc's next long-term budget from 2021, its troubled relationship with Turkey, the EU membership prospects of Albania and North Macedonia, as well as ambitious climate policies.

China's State Council announced on August 1, 2014 that from the year 2014, October 17 was set as the National Poverty Alleviation Day, aiming to rally efforts to combat poverty. 

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and also a crucial stage for the country's poverty-alleviation campaign as it vows to eradicate absolute poverty in rural areas by 2020.

Over the past 40 years, more than 700 million Chinese people have been lifted off poverty, representing over 70 percent of global poverty reduction.

Monday: Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima start a five-day visit to India, Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Saudi Arabia, EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting begins.

Tuesday: EU General Affairs Council (Art. 50) meeting, Mozambique holds presidential election, the fourth U.S. Democratic presidential debate of the 2020 campaign takes place at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio.

Wednesday: A meeting between the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission – Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker, France and Germany hold their annual summit.

Thursday: Gibraltarian parliament election starts, European Council meeting starts in Brussels (to October 18), China's National Poverty Alleviation Day, Afghanistan announces the preliminary results of its presidential election.

Friday: A quiet day in politics. 

Saturday: British parliament holds a special Saturday sitting. 

Sunday: Bolivia starts presidential race, the Swiss federal elections start, the ninth Beijing Xiangshan Forum begins (to October 22).

(With input from Reuters)