Oil Aside, Putin’s Saudi Bromance Yet to Yield Dividends
- Russian leader to make first visit to Saudi Arabia since 2007
- Oil pact hasn’t produced investment flood Russia hoped for
Vladimir Putin and Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka on June 29.
Photographer: Yuri Kadobnov/AFP via Getty Images
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Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit on Monday to Saudi Arabia, only his second since he came to power two decades ago, underscores the new depth in ties between the Kremlin and the traditional U.S. ally. Yet there’s also growing frustration in Moscow at the lack of tangible economic benefits.
Putin has built a personal bond with the de facto Saudi ruler, 34-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, famously sharing a high-five greeting with him at the Group of 20 summit last year. Geopolitically, Russia hopes to capitalize on its ability to navigate between arch-foes Saudi Arabia and Iran.