In the two weeks since attacks blamed on missiles or drones shut down half of Saudi Arabia's oil output, the country that has arguably moved most deftly to position itself for any upside is Russia.
In October, President Vladimir Putin is set to visit Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, a chance to deepen cooperation on energy and oil, drum up investment and promote Russia's Pantsir group of anti-unmanned aerial vehicle weaponry, the arms systems the state export company will put on display at the Dubai Airshow in November.
SPACE TO ACTWhile that process has been underway since Putin went all-in by sending troops to Syria in 2015, it has gained strength as the United States has pulled back, first after President Barack Obama sidestepped deeper engagement in Syria despite evidence of Assad's use of chemical weapons, and then as President Donald Trump has talked tough but mostly avoided action in the region.
EU OPENING?In recent weeks, French President Emmanuel Macron has led calls for Europe and Russia to work more closely together, although he has underlined that European Union sanctions, imposed after Crimea's seizure, should not be lifted until Russia takes steps to resolve its disputes with Ukraine.
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