The Kremlin said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke by phone on Thursday, July 21, 2022, and emphasized the importance of increasing cooperation within the framework of the "OPEC+" organization for oil producers.

This conversation came six days after the meeting between US President Joe Biden and the Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia.

The Kremlin said: "The current situation in the global oil market was discussed in detail, and the importance of increasing cooperation within OPEC+ was confirmed."

The Kremlin continued in a statement: "We note with satisfaction that the countries participating in this model continue to fulfill their commitments in order to maintain the necessary balance and stability in the global energy market."

"OPEC+" includes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries along with a group of other producers, headed by Russia.

The Kremlin said the two leaders also discussed expanding commercial and economic relations and exchanged views on the situation in Syria.

Saudi Arabia Approaches Russia

Saudi officials had said before US President Joe Biden's visit to Saudi Arabia that the oil-rich kingdom has become closer to Russia than ever before, and has no plans to break away from Moscow or help Washington by pumping more oil.

The American Wall Street Journal newspaper quoted Saudi officials - unnamed - as saying that the kingdom is committed to making oil decisions through the OPEC+ alliance, and in consultation with Russia.

The high oil prices have helped Russia finance its government in its attack on Ukraine and cause economic damage to the West.

Saudi and Russian officials also stated that OPEC+ has now become a cornerstone of their foreign policy, and there are currently plans between the two countries to increase trade and investments, which Saudi officials explained that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sees as a general trend away from the West, including greater engagement with China as well.

The American newspaper indicates that the Saudi partnership represents, for Russia, part of Moscow's efforts to exploit Washington's desire to reduce its involvement in Middle East conflicts.

For the kingdom, the alliance with Russia alleviates Riyadh's burden of painfully reducing crude oil production while prices rise sharply and to a degree that does not please Washington.

Meanwhile, White House officials refused to comment on what the American newspaper reported, while American officials said that "Saudi Arabia remains firmly in the Western camp," citing its vote in the United Nations General Assembly this year to condemn the Russian attack on Ukraine, where Saudi officials said they were surprised by the attack.