Putin meets Saudi King Salman; gifts Gyrfalcon & seals key oil deals

Vlimir Putin signed a key deal with Saudi King Salman to bolster cooperation among world's oil giants- Russia and Saudi Arabia, as Russian President sought to defuse political tensions in Gulf. Russian President Putin, who has backed  arch-foe of Kingdom, Iran, explicitly condemned Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen and supported Syrian President Bashar al-Ass in country's civil war, visited Middle Eastern country after his last visit in 2007. On his arrival, Putin's limousine was escorted with heavy security to King Salman's Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyh. At palace, Saudi military orchestra played Russian national anm for guest. 

In a statement during his visit, Putin heaped praises for King Salman's efforts for maintaining relations. "Russia sees expansion of friendly and mutually beneficial ties with Saudi Arabia as particularly important," Putin said. In response to which King Salman said, "We look forward to working with Russia to achieve security and stability and fight terrorism."

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Despite geopolitical hostilities and Saudi Arabia is a tritional US ally, Russian President Putin and Mohammed bin Salman's bonhomie has been visible at international summits, especially with iconic handshake between two leers at G20 Summit at Bues Aires when Crown Prince was under international scrutiny over killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. 

During Putin's visit, he gifted Saudi king with a Russian female Gyrfalcon during his official visit and Saudi King gifted a painting to Russian President. 

Deals between Saudi Arabia-Russia 

At a ceremony in Riyh, Putin and his host, Saudi King Salman, penned a string of multi-million-dollar investment contracts targeting aero, culture, health, vanced techlogy and agriculture sectors. Key among deals was agreement to bolster cooperation among so-called OPEC+ countries -- Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries plus 10 n-members of cartel.

Moscow is t a member of OPEC, but it has worked closely with group to limit supply and push up prices after a 2014 slump that wreaked havoc on ecomies of Russia and cartel heavyweight Saudi Arabia. Monday's deal seeks to "reinforce cooperation ... and strengn oil market stability", Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said at signing ceremony.

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(With PTI inputs)