Regional and global geoeconomic and geopolitical changes and the emergence of more common interests can lead to the development of trade routes and bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Saudi and Russia.

The Soviet Union was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia in 1926. However, these relations later cooled down. Aside from the ups and downs after 1938, from 1979 onwards, reasons such as the Soviet-Afghan War, the Cold War, and Saudi Arabia’s support for Afghan mujahideen in close cooperation with the United States, led to the deterioration of relations.

In 1990, relations were resumed. High-level visits and meetings in 2003 and February 2007 marked the beginning of high-level contacts. In the past decade, Moscow-Riyadh relations have experienced ups and downs, but have been significantly strengthened since 2017. In Russia’s foreign policy document 2023, attention is paid to deepening mutually beneficial multilateral partnerships with Saudi Arabia, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and playing a role in promoting peace, trade and investment in the Middle East.

In 2023, the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, visited this kingdom. Recently, Putin sent a written message to Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia, which addressed bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia and ways to expand and strengthen ties. In addition to Riyadh’s entry as a “dialogue partner” in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Riyadh’s broader relations with Russia can contribute to a greater presence in Central Asia, the Shanghai Organization, and Eurasia.

For Riyadh, multilateralism and attention to national interests, creating a more neutral world order, strengthening the multipolar world order, being comprehensive, and working with everyone play a role in paying more attention to Russia. Apart from political dialogues and exchanging views on regional and international issues, mutual understanding and convergence of perspectives on various matters, as well as the uncertainty of the U.S.’ Middle Eastern policies, have led Riyadh to diversify its alliances. Joint efforts and closer alignment of Riyadh and Moscow’s views on crises in the Middle East and North Africa have contributed to strengthening relations.

In recent years, motives such as greater peace and security, increased security cooperation between the two countries in combating terrorism, and information exchange have played a role in reinforcing Riyadh’s relations with Moscow. The presence of the Russian defense company at the Saudi Arabia exhibition, the participation of the main cruiser of the Northern Fleet in Jeddah port, Saudi Arabia, in early April 2023, and the continued military purchases by Saudi Arabia from Russian state companies all indicate Riyadh’s interest in increasing security and military cooperation with Moscow.

On another front, Saudi Arabia has been seeking to leverage its role as a mediator in its relations with Russia and Ukraine, as well as with the United States, in international diplomacy. Saudi Arabia played an “effective role” in mediating several prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia and has strived during the first high-level talks between Russia and the United States hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In the highly significant energy sector, Russia and Saudi Arabia are two major global oil producers. Both countries lead the OPEC+ group. In recent years, Riyadh has resisted Western pressure and continues to maintain close coordination with Moscow to manage energy markets and make decisions related to oil exports.

Despite the importance of energy transfer and global decarbonization, setting oil prices and stabilizing prices are extremely important for both actors. Therefore, cooperation in facing severe oil market fluctuations plays a crucial role in ensuring stability.

Additionally, Moscow and Riyadh are interested in increasing trade and economic cooperation and expanding collaboration in investment. Since 2022, Saudi Arabia has increased its investments in Russia’s energy sector.

In recent years, we have seen a rise in mutual investments between the two countries across various sectors, including energy, industry, and technology. Over the past decade, the two countries have jointly implemented more than 40 investment projects across various sectors, including information technology, transportation, infrastructure, and petrochemicals. Saudi Arabia is the largest Arab economy with an annual GDP of more than one trillion dollars with a population of more than 34 million.

Riyadh views BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as key to increasing its geopolitical influence. Riyadh’s broader relations with Russia can contribute to a greater presence in the Eurasian Economic Union. Although recently Faisal Ali Ibrahim, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning, stated that Saudi Arabia is evaluating the benefits of joining the BRICS economic bloc, previous and future BRICS efforts to increase trade using local currencies could also benefit Saudi Arabia.

Given that 80-90% of Saudi Arabia’s staple food supply depends on imports, and considering geopolitical conflicts and food insecurity risks, Russia plays an important role in Saudi Arabia’s food security strategy. Saudi Arabia with Russia can achieve an easy supply of raw materials, and grains, reducing supply chain costs and meeting strategic and food needs.

Along with the “Vision 2030” program, an important part of Saudi economic diplomacy is transforming the structure of the economy into a diverse and stable economy, fundamental reforms, improving the position of becoming a global trade and investment hub and connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. Russia and Saudi Arabia have significantly strengthened their economic ties, with bilateral trade between the two countries nearly quadrupling in the first quarter of 2025. Bilateral trade increased by more than 62% in 2024.

Outlook

Issues such as disagreements, geo-economic competitions, and geopolitics can fuel conflicts. Although geopolitical challenges and regional disputes may impact the relations between the two countries, Riyadh continues to try to balance its regional interests with Western demands.

Thus, the relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia and bilateral cooperation in various areas - including economic, energy, and security sectors - are likely to continue developing. There appears to be high potential for further expansion of these relations in the future.

Although Russia is not among the most important trading partners of Saudi Arabia in 2024 (such as China, Japan, India, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States), discussions about increasing trade, plans to establish a free trade zone within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and other potentials - such as Russia-Islamic world cooperation, the establishment of Islamic banks, the INSTC corridor, and others - could broaden Russia-Saudi Arabia bilateral trade.

Also, regional and global geoeconomic and geopolitical changes and the emergence of more common interests can lead to the development of trade routes and bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Saudi and Russia.

Samyar Rostami, ? political observer and senior researcher in international relations. Courtesy

https://journal-neo.su/2025/06/29/saudis-view-of-russia-cooperation-opportunities-and-prospects/