Relations between Russia and Saudi Arabia have never been as
friendly as they were in 2009. After years of tension over Saudi
support for Islamist fundamentalism in the post-Soviet space and
Russia's proximity to Iran and Iraq, Moscow and Riyadh have...
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Relations between Russia and Saudi Arabia have never been as
friendly as they were in 2009. After years of tension over Saudi
support for Islamist fundamentalism in the post-Soviet space and
Russia's proximity to Iran and Iraq, Moscow and Riyadh have
progressively moved closer to each other. This rapprochement was
aided by the increasing complexity of their respective relationships
with the US, concerns caused by the situation in Iraq and rising fuel
prices (between 2003 and 2008). Nevertheless, their relations are
limited by their different interests in the energy field and are subject to
the fluctuating political climate in the Middle East, notably with regard
to the Iran dossier. By moving closer to Riyadh, Moscow primarily
hopes to improve its political image and reaffirm its presence in the
Arab-Muslim world. The Kremlin is hedging its bets, thus its relations
with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remain dependent on its relations
with Washington.
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