HRH Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman is a firm young leader who deserves respect: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that HRH Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is a “firm young leader who deserves respect.”

This came in light of the United States accusing Saudi Arabia of siding with Russia, following the decision of “OPEC Plus” to reduce oil production.

“(The Crown Prince) is a steadfast young leader with character… These are clear facts,” Putin said.

Putin added that everyone should “respect” Prince Mohammed bin Salman and not be “rude” to him so that he does not respond in the same way.

Putin’s comments came in response to a question about Russia’s relations with Saudi Arabia and the Crown Prince during the Russian president’s participation in the “Valdai Discussion Club” forum in Moscow.

Putin said the Saudi crown prince is “guided by national interests and the interests of balancing energy markets” when it comes to making decisions on reducing or increasing oil production.

Putin added that Mohammed bin Salman’s principles and national interests are “perfectly balanced.”

Putin continued to praise Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s economic policies, saying that “predictability and stability are critical to international energy markets… and this is exactly” what the crown prince is striving for.”

Putin stressed that Russia is working to strengthen its relations with Saudi Arabia.