From "Red Pasha" to Oil Alliance: One Hundred Years of Russian-Saudi Diplomatic Relations |
From “Red Pasha” to Oil Alliance: One Hundred Years of Russian-Saudi Diplomatic Relations
In 2026, Moscow and Riyadh are celebrating a significant milestone — the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. In Moscow, a ceremonial meeting of the Khakimov Club was dedicated to this epochal date.
The First Recognition and the Mission of the “Red Pasha”
The history of relations dates back to February 16, 1926, when the Soviet Union became the first world power to recognize the new state — the Kingdom of Hejaz, Nejd and its annexed territories, under the rule of Abdulaziz Al Saud. A key role in this was played by the diplomat Karim Khakimov, who, due to his influence and the respect he commanded among the Bedouins, was nicknamed the “Red Pasha.” He not only gained the favor of the future king but also arranged for the supply of weapons and food to the young kingdom, including much-needed gasoline and kerosene. Because Khakimov was an ethnic Bashkir, a Muslim, fluent in Arabic, and deeply knowledgeable about local customs, he managed to establish a trusting, almost friendly, relationship with the king.
However, this promising start was tragically interrupted. At the end of 1938, diplomatic relations were effectively severed. The official reason given for freezing contacts was Khakimov’s recall, but the true reasons were deeper and more dramatic. King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud’s decision to break off all relations with the USSR was dictated by two main factors related to Khakimov’s personality and Moscow’s policies:
-Personal Tragedy and Betrayed Friendship. In September 1937, Karim Khakimov was urgently recalled to Moscow. The King, who by then was well-informed about events in the USSR, fully understood the fate awaiting his friend. According to testimonies, Ibn Saud personally offered Khakimov political asylum in Saudi Arabia, guaranteeing his safety. However, Khakimov, faithful to his diplomatic duty, refused and returned to his homeland, where in January 1938 he was executed on charges of espionage.
Upon learning of the execution of a man he considered a personal friend and who had done so much for the establishment of his state, the king was furious. This was not just a political move, but a deep personal affront. Ibn Saud made it clear that he did not wish to see any other representative of the Kremlin in his country. He declared that he would never accept any other plenipotentiary except Karim Khakimov. For an Eastern monarch who valued loyalty and personal relationships above all else, the murder of an envoy was an act of unprecedented treachery that nullified years of trust-building.
The Ideological Rupture. Beyond the personal drama, the policies of the Soviet leadership also played a significant role. In the 1930s, the anti-religious campaign intensified sharply in the USSR. The atheistic essence of the regime, the closure of mosques, and the persecution of believers stood in irreconcilable contradiction with the nature of the Saudi Kingdom, which positioned itself as the Custodian of Islam’s two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina. While in the 1920s Ibn Saud’s young state had vitally needed any support, including from an atheistic USSR, by the late 1930s the king’s position had strengthened. Furthermore, in 1938, colossal oil deposits were discovered in Saudi Arabia, which began to attract the attention of the West, particularly the USA, which was ready to offer Riyadh economic cooperation without ideological conditions.
The book “Karim Khakimov: A Chronicle of Life” with a dedication from the author
Thus, the combination of personal insult (the execution of a friend and respected partner, Khakimov) and ideological rejection (the strengthening of atheistic propaganda in the USSR) led King Ibn Saud to make an unequivocal decision. On September 11, 1938, the staff of the Soviet diplomatic mission left the country. For half a century, dialogue was interrupted, resuming only in the 1990s against the backdrop of the USSR’s collapse and the search for new foreign policy orientations.
The Year of the Great Anniversary: Dialogue at the Highest Level
February 2026 was marked by a series of events underscoring the mutual desire to give the anniversary substantive content. The culmination was a telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, held on the eve of the festive date.
The parties noted with satisfaction that “bilateral relations have reached a high level, acquiring a truly multifaceted and mutually beneficial character.” The leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in the political, trade-economic, and humanitarian spheres. Coordination within the OPEC+ format, which has proven itself as an effective tool for balancing the global energy market, also traditionally remained in focus.
Specifically, Bandar bin Sultan, the Saudi Arabian National Security Advisor (during a visit to the Kremlin), directly stated: “The King of Saudi Arabia pays great attention to the development of relations between our countries in the political, economic, and cultural fields. He views them as strategic.”
Bridges of Friendship Between Worlds
An important event in the anniversary celebrations was a round table held at the Russian House in Jeddah with the participation of the Head of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov. The meeting was organized under the auspices of the “Russia — Islamic World” Strategic Vision Group, which Minnikhanov chairs on behalf of Vladimir Putin.
At the event, which brought together Saudi politicians and public figures, including former Minister of Information Abdul Aziz Khoja, the deep connection between cultures was discussed. Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized that Kazan, holding the title of Capital of Islamic Culture in 2026, serves as a natural bridge between Russia and the Arab world.
“We in Tatarstan are carefully studying the experience of Saudi Arabia and strive to adopt best practices,” the head of the republic noted, adding that cooperation in the halal industry and Islamic banking (where Tatarstan is a pilot region) holds enormous potential.
Khakimov Club Meeting
The Khakimov Club, an expert platform for public diplomacy, held a meeting on February 17 at the Cultural Center of the Main Directorate for Servicing the Diplomatic Corps at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mark this significant date. The event, held with the participation of the Roscongress Foundation, focused on developing Russian-Saudi dialogue and expanding interaction between the expert and business communities of the two countries.
The ceremonial meeting was attended and addressed by Maxim Konstantinovich Maksimov, Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Andrey Glebovich Baklanov, a Russian diplomat, political scientist, and professor at the National Research University Higher School of Economics who served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 2000 to 2005; and Marat Ilshatovich Gatin, Deputy Chairman of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group. Pogos Semyonovich Akopov, a legend of Soviet diplomacy, also shared his memories of his diplomatic work in several Arab countries. This year, he will celebrate his 100th (one hundredth!) anniversary, as will Russian-Saudi relations.
Representatives of the diplomatic corps of Arab countries – participants in the meeting of the Khakimov Club
Oleg Borisovich Ozerov, Chairman of the Khakimov Club and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Moldova, noted in his welcoming address that Saudi Arabia will be a guest country at the SPIEF this year, which, in his opinion, will create additional opportunities for productive interaction between the business communities of the two countries (many of which were represented at the meeting). The diplomat announced a series of Khakimov Club events during the forum and encouraged participants to actively participate, emphasizing the importance of their presence at Russia’s premier economic event.
In his welcoming address, Sami Mohammed Al-Sadhan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Moscow, noted that relations between Russia and Saudi Arabia not only influence bilateral partnerships but also impact the entire region and demonstrate the significant role our countries play in global affairs. The diplomat reaffirmed his firm commitment to strengthening the constructive dialogue between Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Meeting participants included diplomats from Arab and African countries (accredited in Moscow), State Duma deputies, employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Rossotrudnichestvo, regional representatives of the Russian Federation, orientalists, public organization activists, entrepreneurs, financiers, journalists, and members of the Russian-Arab youth association.
Oleg Borisovich Ozerov, head of the Khakimov Club expert forum and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Moldova, the event’s organizer and inspiration, a writer and publicist, presented the second edition of his book, “Karim Khakimov: A Chronicle of Life.”
SPIEF-2026: Riyadh Becomes the Guest of Honor
Symbolically, the anniversary year coincided with another important decision. Earlier, in July 2025, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov welcomed Riyadh’s agreement to become the guest country at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in 2026.
“It is symbolic that this event falls in the year when we will be celebrating the centennial anniversary,” Lavrov stated then, expressing hope for holding special joint events on the sidelines of the forum. It is expected that Saudi Arabia’s participation as a key partner at SPIEF will give a powerful boost to trade and investment ties, which, despite their impressive potential, still have room for growth.
In turn, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister, noted: “We have an important partnership with Russia, OPEC+. A partnership that ensures stability in the oil market, which is important for us because oil remains our primary source [of income], but it is also important for the international community.”
Academic Reflection and the Future of the Partnership
Parallel to political and business contacts, the anniversary is also being reflected upon by the academic community. In Moscow, at the INION RAN, a scientific seminar is planned, involving many specialists on Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. The theme of the report — “A Century of Russian-Saudi Relations — Past, Present, Future” — perfectly captures the spirit of the times, where historical experience becomes the foundation for forecasting the further development of ties.
Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudi Arabian Minister of Energy, expressed a very distinctive view of our relations (at the Russian-Saudi Investment Forum in Riyadh): “We want it to always be warm in Riyadh when we meet. But we should not attach our relationship to the temperature and the weather, because, as you know, weather is seasonal, but our bilateral [relations] are eternal.”
The path from the first diplomatic note of 1926 to today’s strategic dialogue has been long and thorny. However, the year 2026 demonstrates that Russia and Saudi Arabia have learned not only to overcome disagreements (as was the case in the Syrian crisis) but also to build a common agenda where energy security and mutual investments occupy a key place. And the centenary of diplomatic relations is becoming not just a date on the calendar, but a starting point for a new stage of cooperation.
Viktor Mikhin, writer and expert on the Middle East
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