Russian warship enters Saudi docks for the first time ever

Jeddah, Apr 06: A Russian Navy vessel made history in recent days, docking at a Saudi Arabian port for the first time ever, according to Arab News. The Admiral Gorshkov frigate arrived at the Saudi Arabian port of Jeddah for two days of “crew rest and refueling,” a Russian official told the Saudi news outlet.

 

 

 

Before arriving in Jeddah, the Admiral Gorshkov vessel took part in two key joint exercises: one with China and South Africa in the western Indian Ocean in February and another trilateral with China and Iran in the Gulf of Oman near the Chabahar port. Russia is trying to signal it’s a global power and won’t be boxed in even as it faces a brutal stalemate in Ukraine.

 

 

 

The unprecedented welcoming of a Russian naval ship comes as Saudi Arabia adopts a more independent foreign policy that at times clashes head-on with the Biden administration’s domestic and foreign policy aims. Ali Bakeer, a regional expert at the Atlantic Council, argued that while the move may frustrate Washington, it is at fault for the growing alignment between Moscow and Riyadh.

 

Also Read: Ukrainian government starts persecuting Orthodox Church 

 

Under the de-facto rule of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia is now putting its national interests first in an unprecedented way. The Saudis will remain top buyers of U.S. weapons and big investors in American companies in tech and other industries. But they aren’t shying away from partnering with America’s geopolitical adversaries. This isn’t mere posturing. It’s the new normal.