The London Arabic Daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin is Russia's first leader to visit Riyadh as he meets with King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz.

Saudi officials said the trip could be a big boost for relations with Russia. "The visit is a turning point because we will see lots of development in cooperation politically, economically and militarily," said a Saudi official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he could not discuss the visit on the record. ... Russia has stepped up its military and trade ties with other countries in the Middle East, delivering weapons systems to Syria and Iran, among others. It is hoping to win a Saudi order for tanks on this trip.