11 Feb 2007
Riyadh: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Saudi Arabia today, the first visit by a Russian president in 80 years.
Putin is expected to hold talks with King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz to focus on economic, political and investment relations between the two countries. A large Russian delegation including politicians and businessmen is accompanying Putin.
The Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Victor Kudriavtsev, described Putin's visit to Riyadh as "historic".
In statements to Gulf News, the ambassador noted that Putin's talks with the Saudi leadership will focus on bilateral relations and latest developments in Iraq and Palestine, particularly the agreement reached between the two Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas in Makkah on Thursday.
Earlier, Saudi newspapers quoted a source at the Russian embassy in Riyadh denying that Putin's visit to Saudi Arabia is for concluding a military deal with the kingdom.
Commenting on reports about Russia's intentions of supplying Saudi Arabia with 150 modern Russian tanks, the Russian embassy source said, " I couldn't deny that we want to boost our relations with Saudi Arabia, including military ties. President Putin may discuss this with King Abdullah, but to consider this as the objective of the visit is incorrect."
Iran dispute
The Russian ambassador pointed out that Putin and King Abdullah would discuss Iran's nuclear programme and developments in Lebanon as well as international efforts to fight terrorism.
Saudi Arabia is the first leg of Putin's visit to the region, which will also take him to Qatar and Jordan.
Political analysts in Riyadh, Doha and Amman describe Putin's visit to the region as an attempt by the Russian president to counter the American influence in the region. However, the chairman of the foreign affairs committee at the Russian Parliament, Mikhail Marghelov, stressed that his country is not planning to "enter into competition with any party" in the Gulf.
"The competition between Washington and Moscow is a remnant of the cold war. For sure we may enter into competition in the economic field but in the geopolitical arena we have the same interests," he said.
The analysts believe that the Russian presence in the region can help in boosting its military industry and win new contracts in the region. For its part, Saudi Arabia, who has been relying heavily on American weapons, is seeking to diversify its sources of military supplies.
Foreign press sources in Riyadh believe that Riyadh may have interest in Russian T-90 tanks and MI-17 helicopters used as personnel carriers.
Military deals
Meanwhile, the secretary of the Russian National Security Council, Igor Ivanov, did not rule out the signing of military contracts between Saudi Arabia and Russia. He made the remarks in January, following his meeting with Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, Secretary General of the Saudi National Security Council.
Saudi Arabia recognised the former Soviet Union in 1926 and established diplomatic relations with it. The relations were severed in the 1930s and restored in 1990. King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, then Crown Prince, visited Moscow in September 2003 leading a high-level Saudi delegation.
A visit was also made to Russia in 2006 by Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh on invitation from the Mayor of Moscow. The Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Saud Al Faisal had visited the Soviet Union before it collapsed. The visit paved the way for the restoration of diplomatic ties between the two countries in September 1990.
By Mariam Al Hakeem
Gulf News 2007. All rights reserved.
