Russian president Vladimir Putin lands in Saudi Arabia

Dubai: Russian President Vladimir Putin has landed in Saudi Arabia in a landmark regional tour which will also take him to the UAE.

Before he departed Moscow, the Russian president gave an interview with Arab media where he lauded ties with both Gulf countries.

The Russian leader has offered to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Iran amid sky-rocketing tensions over the past few months.

Putin condemned an attack on Saudi Arabia’s Aramco facilities last month and said that it would help Riyadh investigate who the culprits of the attack were.

While Saudi Arabia has blamed Iran, Russia has been reluctant to place blame.

Putin has proposed to set up an organisation composed of the Gulf countries, the US and the Europe to act as a forum to discuss regional crises.

During his visit to Riyadh and Abu Dhabi Putin is also expected to sign investment deals.

Observers look to his visit as a sign of growing Russian influence in the region.