Putin thanks Saudi crown prince for hosting US-Russia talks during phone call

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (File/SPA/AFP)
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Updated 20 February 2025
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Putin thanks Saudi crown prince for hosting US-Russia talks during phone call

  • Prince Mohammed stressed the Kingdom’s commitment to making every possible effort to enhance global peace and security

RIYADH: Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed on Thursday his appreciation to the Kingdom and its crown prince for hosting US-Russian talks in Riyadh on Tuesday.

During a phone call between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Putin, the president also praised the depth of relations between their countries and his keenness to develop them in various fields.

Prince Mohammed stressed the Kingdom’s commitment to making every possible effort to enhance global peace and security due to its belief that dialogue is the only way to resolve all international crises.


US embassy in Riyadh attacked with drones: Saudi defense ministry

General view of the USA embassy in Riyadh. (AFP file photo)
Updated 5 min 38 sec ago
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US embassy in Riyadh attacked with drones: Saudi defense ministry

  • The embassy issued a shelter in place notice for Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense said early Tuesday that eight drones were intercepted and destroyed near Riyadh and Al-Kharj.

In an earlier statement, the ministry’s spokesperson said preliminary assessments indicated that two drones had targeted the US Embassy in Riyadh.
The incident caused a limited fire and minor material damage to the building.

A statement from the Saudi foreign ministry condemned Iran’s attack on the US embassy building in Riyadh.
Reports from early Tuesday morning described a loud blast and visible flames at the American embassy, with black smoke rising over Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter, where many foreign missions are located. According to Reuters, two sources said there were no reported injuries, as the building was empty at the time of the incident in the early morning hours.
In a post published on X, the US Embassy to the Kingdom announced a security alert for Tuesday. The embassy stated it would remain closed and that all routine and emergency American Citizen Services appointments had been cancelled.
The shelter-in-place notification for Jeddah, Riyadh and Dhahran remains active, and American citizens in the Kingdom were advised to continue to abide by it.
The embassy also urged people to avoid its premises until further notice due to the attack on the facility. Travelers were encouraged to review the most recent Security Alerts, reconsider travel plans in case of possible disruptions, and make decisions that prioritize their safety and that of their families.