Saudi Arabia and Oman stress the need to contain the regional crisis

Experts and diplomats said that the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of Saudi-Russian diplomatic relations represents an opportunity to evaluate the course of relations and consider the ability of the two countries to adapt to regional and international changes, and invest in common opportunities.

Participants in a video symposium held entitled “Saudi-Russian Relations... A Future Vision,” organized by the Gulf Research Center in Riyadh, today (Monday), saw that coordination between Riyadh and Moscow contributed to supporting the stability of energy markets, and allowed them to manage common interests despite their differing positions on international and regional issues.

Dr. Abdul Aziz bin Saqr, head of the Gulf Research Center, said that the centenary represents an opportunity to evaluate the course of relations, and consider the ability of the two countries to adapt to changes and invest in common opportunities. He added that the mutual visits between the two leaderships and cooperation within “OPEC Plus” constituted prominent milestones in the development of political and economic relations.

Bin Saqr pointed out that cooperation continued despite the differences in the two countries’ alliances, citing the war in Ukraine, and said that Saudi Arabia adhered to the call for a political solution to the conflict through dialogue. He considered that the energy partnership goes beyond managing oil markets; It reflects the ability of Riyadh and Moscow to continue economic cooperation despite political differences.

At the regional level, Bin Saqr said that the two countries meet on issues of support for the two-state solution, security of the Red Sea, navigation and international trade, but that does not eliminate the need for a more frank dialogue on some controversial issues, most notably Russian-Iranian relations. He expressed his hope that Moscow would use its influence with Tehran to encourage it to respect the sovereignty of countries in the region and act as a responsible state.

In the economic field, Bin Saqr believed that the volume of exchange is still below the capabilities of the two countries, noting that Saudi imports from Russia exceeded 12 billion riyals, while Saudi exports to it did not exceed 274 million riyals, according to official figures.

He said that cooperation opportunities include energy, investment, industry, mining, food security and tourism, calling for transforming understandings into concrete projects and achieving a greater balance in trade.

For his part, Sami Al-Sadhan, the Saudi ambassador to Russia, said that Karim Khakimov’s delivery of the recognition document to King Abdulaziz in 1926 represented a historic beginning in relations, and the Soviet Union was the first country to recognize the Kingdom. He added that relations witnessed important milestones. Among them are high-level visits; The most notable of which is the visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the Crown Prince to Russia in 2017.

Al-Sadhan explained that the visits focused on deepening the partnership, including cooperation in OPEC Plus, technology, investment and cultural exchange. He pointed to the growth of relations in several sectors, the launch of direct airlines, and the entry into force of the mutual visa exemption agreement on May 11, 2026. He said that what was achieved over a century constitutes a basis for strengthening confidence and opening broader horizons for cooperation in the next century.

In turn, Aslan Azeyev, Minister Counselor at the Russian Embassy in Riyadh, said that the political dialogue launched by the leadership of the two countries forms the basis of the partnership plan. He added that Saudi Arabia and Russia, as major oil producers and leading members of OPEC Plus, play a role in supporting the stability of the oil market and the energy sector.

He pointed out that the two countries’ communication extends to industry, agriculture, investment, digitization and trade, noting the participation of 70 Russian and 170 Saudi companies in an industrial exhibition in Riyadh in 2026, and Saudi Arabia’s guest of honor at the St. Petersburg Economic Conference.

Regarding the regional issue, Aziyev said that Moscow and Riyadh are communicating about security and stability, and that the Gulf represents a priority in Russian foreign policy. He expressed his belief that continuing dialogue and mutual respect would enhance trust between the two countries despite the differences.

For his part, Abdulaziz Khoja, the former Saudi ambassador and minister, recalled his diplomatic experience in Moscow, saying that he was appointed the Kingdom's first ambassador to the Soviet Union after a break that lasted decades. He added that he arrived in Moscow during the disintegration of the Soviet Union, and that President Boris Yeltsin welcomed him and directed him to facilitate the opening of the embassy and secure the needs of its employees. He described restoring relations to their momentum at that time as a great responsibility at a difficult stage in Russia's history.