Wide-ranging Russian Preparations to Receive Saudi King Salman

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (AFP)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (AFP)
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Wide-ranging Russian Preparations to Receive Saudi King Salman

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (AFP)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (AFP)

Preparations for the upcoming landmark visit by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz to Russia are ongoing in Moscow.

“Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold talks on Thursday with King Salman, who will be on a state visit to Russia,” the Kremlin said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Kremlin is planning to discuss Russian-Saudi relations cooperation. Both Putin and King Salman will discuss joint steps to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade-economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian fields.

Talks are expected to witness extensive exchange of views on international issues, the Kremlin added.
Specific attention will be given to issues evolving in the Middle East and North Africa, with a focus on settling regional conflicts.

Authorities in Russia and Saudi Arabia are showing political will to foster bilateral economic ties, and their potential is yet to be fulfilled, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.

The presidential spokesman stressed that Russia has long-running ties with Saudi Arabia, which Moscow values. "There are very broad prospects, and the potential is far from being fulfilled. Now both sides are showing political will to contribute to developing business contacts," he said.

Peskov refused to link developing relations with Saudi Arabia to Russian-Iranian ties. "The relations between Moscow and Riyadh are absolutely self-sufficient and in this case there is no need to draw any parallels, this is a separate vector of our foreign policy, given the important role of Saudi Arabia in the region and in the Arab world in general," he said.

Media and research circles in Russia have turned a great deal of attention to King Salman’s visit and anticipated talks with Putin, in view of the important position that Saudi Arabia occupies in the Arab world and among Islamic nations.

Speaking on issues of contrast, Deputy head of the North Africa department at the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry Oleg Ozerov said that although the two states may differ on many topics in the Middle East, namely the Syrian crisis, Moscow and Riyadh are willing to work through matters of conflict.

When it comes to the larger picture, both Saudi Arabia and Russia are willing to set aside their differences for the greater good, said Ozerov.

Meanwhile, head of the media center for Arab-Russian studies Dr. Majed Al-Turki said that the Russians and Saudis both agree that a peaceful solution for the Syrian crisis is the only way to resolve the conflict.

The official hoped that the upcoming visit would focus on matters of common interest, adding that dwelling on problems without a clear solution would be counterproductive for both countries’ aims to boost relations.

On her part, Russian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) affairs expert Elena Melkumian said that issues pertaining to the Syrian and Yemeni crises, the future of the Iraq's Kurdistan region, developments in the Gulf region and the Middle East peace process will be high on the list of discussions between King Salman and Putin.



Saudi Arabia Implemented $7.1-Billion-Worth Projects to Support Children

KSrelief has implemented 3,117 projects across 105 countries, totaling over $7.1 billion. SPA
KSrelief has implemented 3,117 projects across 105 countries, totaling over $7.1 billion. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Implemented $7.1-Billion-Worth Projects to Support Children

KSrelief has implemented 3,117 projects across 105 countries, totaling over $7.1 billion. SPA
KSrelief has implemented 3,117 projects across 105 countries, totaling over $7.1 billion. SPA

Saudi Arabia actively marks World Children's Day, observed on November 20 every year, through a range of projects and initiatives carried out by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), which is dedicated to supporting children and promoting their well-being worldwide.

Since its establishment, KSrelief has implemented 3,117 projects across 105 countries, totaling over $7.1 billion. Among these, 965 projects were valued at over $924 million, specifically focusing on enhancing the living conditions of children and their families, alleviating their suffering and ensuring access to education in safe and healthy environments.

One significant project by the center is the rehabilitation and reintegration of children recruited and affected by the armed conflict in Yemen, which aims to support child soldiers in their journey back to society.

The project has positively impacted 530 children and 60,560 family members. It entails facilitating the children's integration into their communities, enrolling them in schools, and offering vital psychological and social support through targeted training courses, helping them to lead normal, fulfilling lives.
KSrelief is a key supporter of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), significantly contributing to the delivery of health services and nutrition programs for newborns and their mothers. The center also plays a crucial role in supporting educational initiatives and ensuring the continuity of education in crisis and disaster-affected areas.