MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Friday, Jubeir said in an interview with the Politico newspaper that Saudi Arabia was ready to offer Russia access to the Gulf Cooperation Council market and regional investment fund if it stopped supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad.
"We are talking not about commercial deals, but about the invitation to build a strategic partnership. [Jubeir's remarks] comply with the kingdom's move toward closer ties with Russia. The region needs Russia's authority, comparable to the one of the United States, for a necessary balance," Majed bin Abdulaziz Turki said in an interview.
He also noted that Saudi Arabia always invited Russia to take active part in the issues related to the Middle East.