Prince Khalid bin Salman, Russian DM meet to ‘explore ways to strengthen the military and defense cooperation’
Saudi Arabia said it signed a military cooperation agreement with Russia on Monday, according to a tweet by Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman.
“I signed an agreement today with the Russian Deputy Minister of Defense Colonel General Alexander Fomin between the Kingdom and the Russian Federation aimed at developing joint military cooperation between the two countries,” he tweeted.
Currently on a visit to Russia to strengthen relations and visit the Russian defense ministry’s International Military-Technical Forum “Army-2021,” Prince Khalid met Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu earlier Monday to “explore ways to strengthen the military and defense cooperation.”
“We discussed our common endeavor to preserve stability and security in the region, and reviewed shared challenges facing our countries,” he added.
While a US ally, the coutry has come under fire for its human rights record, over which US President Joe Biden’s administration has pressed the Saudi government.
Saudi Arabia is currently heading an international coalition of states fighting the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Biden in February said he was withdrawing US support for the coalition, while maintaining sanctions on the Houthis.