Putin Opens Talks with Saudi King at Kremlin

The king's talks with Putin on Thursday are expected to focus on the global oil market and the conflict in Syria, AP reported.

Relations between the two countries have often been strained. During Cold War times, the Saudis helped arm Afghan rebels fighting against the Soviet invasion.

More recently, tensions were high over the war in Syria, in which Russia has staunchly backed Syrian President Bashar Assad while Saudi Arabia has supported his foreign-backed foes.

The kingdom, much like Russia, has been hit by a fall in oil prices in recent years. Despite regional disagreements, the two countries found common ground on energy policy in November when they led a deal between OPEC and non-OPEC states to cut production in a bid to shore up crude prices.