Vladimir Putin — in Saudi Arabia for only the second time in his presidency — was greeted in Riyadh by an honor guard of Arabian horses and royal soldiers. He was transported to the present, by electric buggy, for a grand reception inside King Salman’s palace.
During his visit, Putin also met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with whom the Russian president says he has friendly relations.
In televised remarks, Putin and the king said bilateral relations were important to regional security and stability.
After discussions that touched on joint investments as well as conflicts in Syria and Yemen, Prince Mohammed said Saudi-Russian cooperation on energy would achieve stability.