Putin Hails King Salman’s ‘Historic’ Visit to Russia

Russia's President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a session of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Russia October 19, 2017. (Reuters)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a session of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Russia October 19, 2017. (Reuters)
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Putin Hails King Salman’s ‘Historic’ Visit to Russia

Russia's President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a session of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Russia October 19, 2017. (Reuters)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a session of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Russia October 19, 2017. (Reuters)

Russian President Vladimir Putin described on Friday the visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz to Russia earlier this month as “historic” because it was the first by a Saudi monarch.

There are no major differences between Russia and Saudi Arabia or between Russia and other regional countries, he said while attending the 14th Valdai Discussion Club in the city of Sochi.

“In fact, Saudi Arabia enjoyed good ties with the Soviet Union and there is not much that divides us right now. I see no reasons for disputes with the kingdom or any other countries in the region,” he continued.

“On the contrary, I have very good personal ties with all of these countries,” he declared.

“The visit demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s method in building its relations with Russia,” added Putin.

“It proves the existence of joint interests between Russia and Saudi Arabia whereby we coordinated our stance with the OPEC countries, starting with the Kingdom, in regards to stabilizing oil prices,” he stated.

“We are very pleased with the results of our collective work,” he stressed.

The Russian president also spoke of opportunities for military and technical cooperation with Saudi Arabia.



GCC Secretary General: Peaceful and Diplomatic Solutions Vital for Global Crises

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GCC logo
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GCC Secretary General: Peaceful and Diplomatic Solutions Vital for Global Crises

GCC logo
GCC logo

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi stated that the GCC states believe in the importance of peaceful and diplomatic solutions as an effective way to address regional and international issues and crises, including the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

This statement came during a meeting between the GCC secretary general and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha today, on the sidelines of Albudaiwi's participation in the Dubrovnik Forum 2025 in Croatia, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

During the meeting, several topics were discussed, and relations between the GCC and Ukraine were reviewed. They explored ways to develop and enhance these relations to achieve desired objectives, within the framework of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two sides in November 2017 to promote, develop, and serve mutual interests.

The latest developments in the regional and international arenas and issues of common interest were also discussed, including the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

Albudaiwi clarified that the GCC's position on this crisis is based on the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, preserving the international order based on respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and the non-use of force or the threat of it.