Published by ORF Middle East.
Russia–GCC relations are strengthening. Last month’s Russia–GCC Strategic Dialogue and the launch of scheduled direct flights between Saudi Arabia and Moscow are just two recent examples of this growing engagement. Strengthening the relationship is mutually beneficial: Russia needs partners since it remains cut off from the West, and the Gulf states seek multi-alignment in the changing global order. Yet the partnership is best understood as one of pragmatic, issue-based cooperation rather than strategic alignment, with a legacy rooted in the Cold War.