The international media stated that the Saudi government’s position on the events of the invasion of Ukraine was silent.
It referred to the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman’s personal handling of these events, as an attempt to return the favor to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Saudi Arabia had not issued any official statement condemning the Russian attacks on Ukraine, as Putin was one of those who supported bin Salman, after he became an international pariah, due to his role in the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, according to the Financial Times.
The newspaper also pointed out that Moscow is the main player in OPEC +, which Russia joined in 2016, and accordingly Saudi Arabia participated in its own energy interests, while Salman had taken a hostile stance against US President Joe Biden, due to his constant criticism of Prince Mohammed bin Salman and refusing to talk to him at all.
Bin Salman had told French President Emmanuel Macron, that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is committed to OPEC +, according to a previous Saudi statement.
Saudi commentator Ali Al-Shihabi said that the United States “sent multiple signals, and taken measures” confirming that its alliance with Saudi Arabia is no longer strong; therefore, Saudi leaders decided to build new alliances and multiple relationships with other major powers, such as China and Russia.
He stated that Riyadh has invested heavily in its relations with Moscow, and considered OPEC + a critical strategic relationship for the “Lifeline”, which is meant for the Kingdom’s economy, adding that “Russia has proven that it remembers its friends, as well as its enemies.”
While Saudi and Emirati officials still insist that the US is their main foreign partner, Moscow has been deepening its presence in the Middle East.
