Putin re-energises Russia’s Mid-East Gulf ties
The deals thus far are mostly modest, but the Russian president’s Gulf visit laid the ground for wider cooperation
Vladimir Putin’s state visits in October to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) left a trail of energy deals in their wake. And while many of the agreement are tentative or small-scale at present, they clearly represent the increased Russian appetite to up its profile in the region. In Saudi Arabia, it was largely a case of reinvigorating earlier cooperation pledges. During King Salman’s visit to Moscow in 2017, state-owned Saudi Aramco, the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) agreed to create a platform for investment in Russia’s energy services sector—widely interpreted as a quid pro quo for Moscow’s support for Saudi-led global oil pro
Also in this section
21 April 2026
After overcoming a COVID-induced demand collapse with several years of successful market management, geopolitical events have conspired to provide the pact’s biggest test to date
21 April 2026
The regime’s policy of using nuclear ambiguity as a deterrent may have failed but it has realised it has other cards to play, while its neighbours are reappraising their approach to security
21 April 2026
As the global energy system undergoes a fundamental realignment, Algihaz Holdings has established itself as a critical player bridging conventional energy markets and the next generation of renewable infrastructure.
21 April 2026
The 25th WPC Energy Congress is taking place from 11-15 October 2026 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.
