Andrew Korybko |
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak announced the measure and told Russian media that “Our focus is not just on strengthening our cooperation within the framework of the OPEC and non-OPEC (agreement) but also the strengthening of cooperation in oil, gas, electricity renewable energy and other projects for oil and gas equipment”, which are very important points to dwell upon.
The Russian-Saudi rapprochement has its origins in both sides cooperating in last year’s historic OPEC output deal and deciding to renew it again this year. Their developing partnership has since taken on diplomatic, military, and even strategic dimensions as the two parties work together in resolving the war in Syria, discussing future arms sales and technical assistance, and embark on an all-around rejuvenation of their relations, yet the basis for all of this is in the energy sphere.
Given the enormous soft power and clandestine sway that the Saudis wield all across the international Islamic community, or Ummah, it makes sense in view of this paradigmatic approach
This is crucial to keep in mind because the progress that’s made on this front will provide a clear indication of the state, pace, and future trajectory of Russian-Saudi relations, and be judging by this joint energy fund, it’s evident that the two Great Powers are dedicated to enhancing their ties with one another and even broadening them to include other energy-related aspects as well.
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From this, it can be determined that Moscow and Riyadh want to strengthen the basis of their relations in order to set the foundation for stronger multidimensional ones later on in the future, which is a positive sign that shows just how much Russian diplomacy has achieved since the commencement of the anti-terrorist intervention in Syria over two years ago.
This is crucial to keep in mind because the progress that’s made on this front will provide a clear indication of the state, pace, and future trajectory of Russian-Saudi relations
This is due in a large part of the rising influence of the “progressive” foreign policy faction in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which favors the pioneering of new and unprecedented relations with non-traditional partners. The perfect examples of this in action are the fast-developing ties that Russia is now cultivating with Pakistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and of course, Saudi Arabia, all of which are based on the idea of positioning Moscow as the supreme balancing force in the Eurasian supercontinent.
Given the enormous soft power and clandestine sway that the Saudis wield all across the international Islamic community, or Ummah, it makes sense in view of this paradigmatic approach why Russia would want to partner with Riyadh in seeking to stabilize the Mideast transcontinental pivot space at the crossroads of Afro-Eurasia.
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Their developing partnership has since taken on diplomatic, military, and even strategic dimensions as the two parties work together in resolving the war in Syria
Although there are certainly critics who doubt the Saudis’ sincerity just as they did the Turks’ before them, and those who think that it’s an “unprincipled” approach for the Kremlin to team up with the Kingdom in light of what the Saudis have done, it’s nevertheless a very strategic power play and one which could have game-changing implications for the New Cold War and the emerging Multipolar World Order.
DISCLAIMER: The author writes for this publication in a private capacity which is unrepresentative of anyone or any organization except for his own personal views. Nothing written by the author should ever be conflated with the editorial views or official positions of any other media outlet or institution.
Andrew Korybko is a political analyst, journalist and a regular contributor to several online journals, as well as a member of the expert council for the Institute of Strategic Studies and Predictions at the People’s Friendship University of Russia. He specializes in Russian affairs and geopolitics, specifically the US strategy in Eurasia.The views expressed in this article are author’s own. It does not reflect Global Village Space Editorial policy.