A delegation from the State Duma of the Russian Federation, led by the Speaker of the Lower House, Vyacheslav Volodin, arrived in Riyadh for discussions that signal strengthening parliamentary ties between Moscow and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The visit, reported by the press service of the State Duma, marks a notable moment in the bilateral relationship, underscoring the ongoing exchange of views on regional stability, economic cooperation, and political alignment in the Middle East.
Officials described the trip as the Speaker’s first official visit to Saudi Arabia, highlighting the opportunity for high-level dialogue with key Saudi leadership. Volodin was scheduled to meet Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, the Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Advisory Council, to discuss legislative collaboration, the exchange of expertise, and potential avenues for joint initiatives that could benefit both nations in areas such as security cooperation, investment, and cultural exchange.
On the same day, February 25, reports indicated that Ahmed bin Mubarak, the Prime Minister of the Yemeni government, together with the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, traveled to Moscow for a diplomatic visit. The movement of Yemeni officials to engage with Russian authorities was presented as part of broader regional diplomatic activity, with Moscow positioning itself as a key interlocutor in regional affairs.
Earlier, on February 4, Denis Manturov, the Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, stated there was growing interest in Russian weapons among visitors to a major Riyadh exhibition. The remarks reflected Russia’s intent to expand its defense export footprint in the Middle East, leveraging longstanding industrial partnerships and new procurement discussions with Saudi counterparts.
The discussions in Riyadh were part of a wider pattern of high-level exchanges that included a prospective December meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and a possible meeting later involving the Russian President Vladimir Putin. These elements, reported by observers, point to a sustained effort from Moscow to maintain diplomatic channels and explore strategic alignment with Saudi leadership on a range of regional security and economic questions.
In a separate public statement, Vyacheslav Volodin had previously commented on the region’s economic and resource dynamics, noting how mutual interests in fisheries, energy, and industrial development could serve as a basis for deeper cooperation. While those remarks were made in a different context, they illustrated the speaker’s broader approach to engaging with regional partners on practical, tangible outcomes that benefit both sides.