The high-profile three-day visit by Crown Prince Sultan to Russia is further evidence of a more open and engaged Saudi foreign policy, which has already seen the Kingdom boost relations with India and China. President Vladimir Putin, who in February made the first-ever formal visit by a Russian head of state to Saudi Arabia, went to particular lengths to make Prince Sultan and his delegation welcome in Moscow.
There was much both sides had to discuss. The Kingdom and Russia are the world’s two largest oil producers. They also have growing trade relations and Moscow is understandably eager to win contracts in the considerable industrial and infrastructure expansion under way here. There were also discussions on security cooperation and arms purchases. Until now the Kingdom’s security materials have been supplied by the US and Europe.
American observers who have expressed reservations at the more outgoing policy represented by Prince Sultan’s trip have ignored the realities. Russia is recovering from a period of muddle and humiliation that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union. It is seeking the return of its former superpower status to balance the often-woeful effects of America’s hegemony. Its strong-arm tactics against neighbors such as the Ukraine and the Baltic states over energy supplies may seem alarming, but they reflect in part the disquiet felt in Moscow by what it sees as encroaching US influence. This is epitomized by the planned US missile shield, which whatever Washington may claim about protecting Europe from Iranian or North Korean rocket attack, it clearly aimed primarily at Russia. Moscow also shares regional concerns at the possibility that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. But in their talks on the subject Prince Sultan and Putin will have found agreement on the need to negotiate with Tehran rather than pursue the belligerent tactics adopted by Washington.
Indeed, it is clear that Russia’s counterbalancing influence to the White House throughout the Middle East is ever more necessary. Between the Suez crisis in 1956 and Sadat’s expulsion of Moscow’s advisers in 1972, the Soviet Union pursued a largely ill-informed policy toward the Arab world. It thought only to exploit discord wherever it could, as part of its Cold War against the West. Times have changed. As Prince Sultan’s visit demonstrated, it is now more a question of partnership. The region needs Moscow’s involvement never more so than in the Palestinian tragedy. It could be argued that Russia has not pulled its full weight as a member of the Quartet. This has allowed the Americans to set hurdle after hurdle in defense of their Israeli friends. Both Saudi Arabia and Russia will be attending the Annapolis meeting where Russia could very well elevate its efforts to engage the Arab-Israeli conflict.
It is true that a deal cannot be made without the Americans, but the vigorous involvement of Russia and the EU will surely facilitate the long-overdue and now-urgent need for a settlement.
