Saudi stresses that it has positive relations with Russia

Saudi Arabia maintains positive relations with Russia despite media reports claiming otherwise, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Thursday, quoting an “official source”.

The report quoted the unnamed source as saying that some media outlets were “trying to publish false and incorrect reports about the distinguished relations” between Saudi Arabia and Russia, with the aim of “damaging relations between the two friendly countries”.

The source added that the two countries are “permanently committed to positive and open dialogue”.

No further details were given about what the reports contained and who published them.

Saudi Arabia and Russia have been working closely in recent months and were the main drivers behind the oil output cut agreement signed between OPEC and non-OPEC members last year.

Late last month, Prince Mohammed bin Salman – the current Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia – met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to boost bilateral ties.

“Relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia are seeing one of their best stages at the moment,” Russia’s state-run Tass news agency quoted Prince Mohammed as saying.

“We have achieved much in the preceding period, but we have to do still more.”

According to unconfirmed reports, Saudi King Salman is also expected to visit Moscow in the second week of July for a two-day visit to meet President Vladimir Putin.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, the two countries also announced plans for joint oil and gas projects.

Russia’s largest oil producer, Rosneft and Saudi Aramco announced plans for joint investments in the kingdom with Russian gas company Lukoil also mulling an agreement with Aramco.

Saudi has also confirmed that it will evaluate the possibility of joining Russia’s arctic LNG project.