Oleg Ozerov

 The article analyses different periods in the relations of the Soviet Union, and then Russia with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In the history of the world, there are few analogues of the fact that the two states so zealously rushed from one extreme to the other. The USSR was the first to recognize the newly-born Arab state. Jidda instantly reciprocated, but very soon came the «deep freezing». Both objective and subjective reasons for such jumps are described. But even after the restoration of diplomatic relations in 1990, the «ascending movement» was not restored. Radical changes in Russian-Saudi relations were marked out at the beginning of the 21st century.  Our two countries have common interests and opportunities in the sphere of countering the spread of extremism and  errorism, fighting drug trafficking, illegal arms trafficking and smuggling. With regard to the Middle East peace process and its main track - the Palestinian-Israeli settlement - our countries occupy similar positions in favor of a comprehensive and fair settlement in the region. Russia, as a member of the Quartet of international mediators, has consistently supported the preservation of the Arab peace initiative put forward, as mentioned above, by Saudi Arabia, as one of the foundations of a Middle East settlement.  Today, it is possible to look with confidence and optimism into the future of Russian-Saudi relations, permeated with mutual respect, the desire to connect the potentials of the two states in the field of foreign policy, and to increase cooperation in the trade, economic, investment and other fields