Kremlin says Russia-Saudi military cooperation not directed at 3rd party

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has briefed reporters about the peaceful content of recent talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia.

According to Press TV, the Saudi monarch, who is heading a high-level delegation on a four-day trip to Moscow, met with Putin on Thursday to discuss buying arms, stabilizing global oil prices as well as the conflict in Syria.

The two leaders discussed military cooperation during their talks, Peskov said on Friday.

"The improvement of military cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia ... is not directed against a third party and we believe it's groundless to express concern about this issue," Peskov said, adding, "Work on this will be continued."

The Kremlin spokesman also said the "state of affairs in the oil markets and Russian-Saudi cooperation in the interests of stabilizing the situation on these markets were touched upon."

Media reported on Thursday that Russia’s Rosoboronexport, the state organization for exporting military equipment, and Saudi Arabian Military Industries had signed a memorandum on the purchase and localization of military products.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told reporters that Saudi Arabia was interested in buying S-400 missile system, which has not been finalized yet.

In reaction to the deal on the missile system, Washington expressed concern. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia purchased tens of billions of dollars' worth of military equipment from the United States.

SS