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Putin Visits Riyadh: Regional Developments, OPEC+ in Spotlight

Relations between the two countries enjoy a close level of political and economic cooperation (Reuters)
Relations between the two countries enjoy a close level of political and economic cooperation (Reuters)
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Putin Visits Riyadh: Regional Developments, OPEC+ in Spotlight

Relations between the two countries enjoy a close level of political and economic cooperation (Reuters)
Relations between the two countries enjoy a close level of political and economic cooperation (Reuters)

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday for an official visit, where he is expected to meet with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

Earlier, Putin's aide, Yuri Ushakov, stated that approximately 30 documents, including economic and trade agreements, have been prepared for signing during Putin’s visit to Saudi Arabia.

Additionally, King Salman will discuss various areas of cooperation between the two countries, encompassing energy, agriculture, industry, military-technical collaboration, as well as cultural and humanitarian exchanges, according to Ushakov.

Wednesday’s talks in Saudi Arabia will focus on bilateral relations and the war between Israel and Hamas, spokesman Dmitry Peskov had said earlier.

Issues related to oil market cooperation are also on the agenda, he added.

According to Ushakov, Putin’s primary discussions will be with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Prior to that, Putin will be in the UAE, where there will also be a working visit.

“I hope that the outcomes of this visit will be very positive,” said Ushakov as reported by the Russian news agency Sputnik.

Ushakov affirmed that Putin will address bilateral relations, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and international politics.

Additionally, discussions will cover the reduction of oil production within the framework of the OPEC+ alliance, which includes Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the UAE.

The last time Putin visited Saudi Arabia and the UAE was in 2019, as reported by the official news agency TASS. This marks Putin’s second visit to Riyadh since assuming leadership in Russia.

Bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia carry distinctive historical nuances, dating back to 1926, during the Soviet era, as indicated by official sources.

In that epoch, the Soviet Union became the first non-Arab state to recognize the Kingdom as an independent nation. In 1930, the Soviet consulate in Jeddah was elevated to embassy status.

Official visits from Saudi Arabia have underscored the significance of these ties, particularly with the historic visit by King Salman bin Abdulaziz to Moscow in October 2017.

This marked the first-ever visit by a Saudi monarch to the Russian capital, and it was met with a notable reception from Putin.

Between 2015 and 2018, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman conducted multiple visits to Russia, engaging with Putin and a significant number of Russian ministers, officials, and business leaders.

These encounters played a crucial role in elevating the relationship between the two nations.

Official sources identify Saudi Arabia and Russia as the world’s top oil exporters, with Saudi Arabia ranking first, followed closely by Russia.

The countries closely collaborate within the frameworks of OPEC and OPEC+.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia, Kenya Sign Technical Annex to Regulate Domestic Worker Recruitment

Saudi Arabia, Kenya Sign Technical Annex to Regulate Domestic Worker Recruitment
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Saudi Arabia, Kenya Sign Technical Annex to Regulate Domestic Worker Recruitment

Saudi Arabia, Kenya Sign Technical Annex to Regulate Domestic Worker Recruitment

Saudi Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Development for Labor Abdullah Nasser Abuthnain met with Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Labor and Social Protection Alfred Nganga Mutua on Thursday at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh, in the presence of the accompanying Kenyan delegation and several senior ministry officials.

The meeting discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Kenya in areas of mutual interest in the labor sector, particularly by developing cooperation mechanisms for the recruitment of domestic workers, improving the effectiveness of pre-departure training and qualification programs, and raising awareness of contractual rights and obligations, SPA reported.

These efforts aim to enhance the readiness of domestic workers, improve the quality of recruitment services, promote stability in contractual relations, and protect the rights of all parties.

The two sides also discussed mechanisms for strengthening technical coordination, exchanging expertise and best practices in training and qualification, and improving procedures related to the recruitment of domestic workers. These measures aim to enhance the efficiency of recruitment processes, improve their outcomes, and serve the mutual interests of both countries.

According to SPA, following the meeting, the Saudi vice minister and Kenya’s cabinet secretary signed a technical annex to the agreement on the recruitment of domestic workers between Saudi Arabia and Kenya, signed on July 5, 2026.

The annex is part of efforts to strengthen cooperation and develop the technical and regulatory mechanisms governing the recruitment of domestic workers.

The technical annex aims to streamline procedures and reduce the costs of recruiting domestic workers from Kenya to Saudi Arabia. It also seeks to improve the efficiency of recruitment mechanisms, ensure compliance with approved regulations, protect the rights of employers and domestic workers, and regulate the contractual relationship between the two parties.

The signing of the annex builds on the longstanding relations and ongoing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Kenya, reflecting both sides’ commitment to developing their partnership in labor-related fields, improving the efficiency of the recruitment system, and promoting sustainable cooperation that serves the mutual interests of both countries.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Support Efforts to De-escalate Regional Tensions

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Jarrah Al-Sabah (Asharq Al Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Jarrah Al-Sabah (Asharq Al Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Support Efforts to De-escalate Regional Tensions

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Jarrah Al-Sabah (Asharq Al Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Jarrah Al-Sabah (Asharq Al Awsat)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed the latest regional developments and efforts to address them during a phone call on Wednesday with his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Jarrah Al-Sabah.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait stressed the importance of maintaining coordination and consultations between the two countries and supporting joint diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and strengthen regional security and stability.

Gulf

Saudi Air Defenses Destroy Three Cruise Missiles and Two Drones

Yemeni army fighters on the Jabal Han front near the city of Taiz. (AFP)
Yemeni army fighters on the Jabal Han front near the city of Taiz. (AFP)
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Saudi Air Defenses Destroy Three Cruise Missiles and Two Drones

Yemeni army fighters on the Jabal Han front near the city of Taiz. (AFP)
Yemeni army fighters on the Jabal Han front near the city of Taiz. (AFP)

Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed on Wednesday three cruise missiles fired by Houthi militias towards Riyadh, as well as two drones over the Makkah and Southern Region.

Yemeni government forces expanded their military operations against the Houthis under the “Yemen Dawn” operation, across the fronts of Marib, Al-Jawf, Taiz, Lahj, Al-Dhale and Hajjah.

The Yemeni army said it had carried out 874 strikes over a 24-hour period, killing or wounding about 190 Houthi militants and destroying or disabling 130 military vehicles and combat assets.

In western Lahj, the Giants Brigades and Nation’s Shield forces repelled Houthi attacks, as families fled front-line areas towards Aden and other safer locations.

Government forces also foiled an attempt to detonate two improvised explosive devices disguised as sandstone rocks and planted on either side of the international road linking Marib with the Al-Abr area, which leads to the border crossing with Saudi Arabia.

Military sources said engineering teams dismantled the devices between the Al-Ruwaik and Al-Dhuwaybi areas and secured the road without any casualties.