Russia’s Relations with the Gulf States Amidst Regional and Global Transformations

The chapter studies the features of bilateral Saudi, Emirati and Qatari relations with Russia and the spheres of their interaction on the regional and global agendas. Building on analysis of specific features of the three Gulf monarchies’ foreign strategies, their principles and ways of implementation, as well as identification of the spheres of most vigorous interaction with Russia, the chapter concludes the following. Cooperation of the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar with Russia demonstrates positive dynamic, its driving factors are these countries’ needs to ensure security and increase their influence regionally and internationally. Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have achieved a much higher level of coordination with Moscow, as compared to Doha, and the key spheres of their cooperation are security in the Middle East and the global oil market.