Saudi King signs trade deals with Moscow

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Saudi Arabia's King Salman met Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the Syrian conflict, oil and military contracts. King Salman has become the first Saudi Arabian monarch to visit Russia on a trip being hailed as a historic landmark by both countries.

According to Russian officials, dozens of deals and contracts have been signed between Moscow and Riyadh during the King's visit. They included nuclear industry, space and military agreements, featuring the sale of Russian S-400 missile defense systems.

Despite their differences on Syria, the civil war was a major focus of the talks. The leaders said they are working together on uniting Syrian opposition.

Russian President Vladimir Putin shows the way to Saudi Arabia's King Salman during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Oct. 5, 2017. /Reuters Photo

"I want to mention that throughout our relations we share common views on many regional and international issues," said King Salman on Thursday. "We're cooperating on all issues which help prosperity and strengthening of security of our countries and international peace and security."

Relations between the two countries have often been strained. In the Cold War era, the Saudis helped arm Afghan rebels against the Soviet Union. Today, Moscow and Riyadh back opposing sides in Syria's civil war. However, relations have been improving in recent years and Salman's son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has held several meetings with Vladimir Putin.

Analysts say King Salman's trip highlights Russia's growing power in the Middle East.

"Saudi Arabian King is trying to find not only a political supporter of what he's going to do in the future Syria after the defeat of ISIL. But also he's trying to look for a potential lucrative military market. And the US it seems to him is not a very stable partner under the presidency of Donald Trump," said Vladimir Sotnikov, a political analyst on Middle East and Central Asia.

Hit by the fall in oil prices since mid-2014, Russia and Saudi Arabia, along with other OPEC and non-OPEC countries, agreed in May to extend production cuts of around 1.8m barrels per day. Moscow and Riyadh pledged continued cooperation to stabilize the global oil market.

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