JUST IN: Russian President Putin to Hold Phone Call with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to speak by phone with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The conversation is expected to focus on the escalating Middle East crisis, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, efforts toward a ceasefire, and continued OPEC+ cooperation to stabilize global energy markets.
By Reflecto News Desk
April 2, 2026 | Moscow / Riyadh
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov confirmed the planned call, which will take place following Putin’s talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. Both sides are anticipated to express serious concern over the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, now in its fifth week, civilian casualties, destruction of infrastructure, and the risk of wider regional spillover.
Expected Topics of Discussion
According to Kremlin readouts from similar recent calls and Saudi statements, the leaders are likely to cover:
- De-escalation in the Middle East: Calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to political and diplomatic solutions rather than military escalation.
- Strait of Hormuz Disruptions: The critical chokepoint remains heavily restricted, with severe impacts on global oil and LNG flows. Pre-war averages included ~20.3 million barrels of oil/petroleum products and ~290 million cubic meters of LNG daily, much of it heading to Asia.
- Energy Market Stability: Coordination within OPEC+ to manage volatility caused by the conflict, including damage to Qatar’s LNG facilities and selective Iranian transit controls.
- Broader Regional Security: Risks to Gulf states, civilian toll, and the need to prevent further geographic expansion of the conflict.
Russia has consistently urged diplomatic resolutions and criticized unilateral use of force, while Saudi Arabia — a key OPEC+ partner — balances its security concerns with efforts to stabilize energy markets.
Context Within the Ongoing Conflict
The call comes amid heightened tensions:
- Iranian officials, including IRGC-linked spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari, have warned of “stronger, wider, and more destructive” retaliatory blows and claimed vast unreachable military capabilities.
- French President Macron recently described any military operation to forcibly open the Strait of Hormuz as “unrealistic” due to high risks from Iranian coastal defenses and missiles.
- Former Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi remains seriously wounded after a strike on his home that killed his wife; he had reportedly been involved in Pakistan-mediated backchannels potentially linked to U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
- U.S. President Trump has claimed major objectives are nearing completion and suggested the operation could wind down soon, while pressing allies for help on the strait.
China has blamed the U.S.-Israeli strikes for the Hormuz disruptions, calling them “illegal,” and has resold record volumes of LNG (1.31 million metric tons year-to-date) to support Asian buyers facing shortages.
Outlook
A Putin-MBS conversation could help coordinate positions on de-escalation, OPEC+ production adjustments, and potential diplomatic initiatives. Both leaders have previously stressed the need for political solutions and regional stability.
The call highlights Russia’s active diplomatic role in the crisis alongside major Gulf players, even as Western divisions appear over immediate military options versus longer-term diplomacy.
Reflecto News will monitor the readout of the Putin-MBS phone call, any joint statements, impacts on energy markets, and further developments in the Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz situation.
Sources: Kremlin statements, Saudi Press Agency (SPA), TASS, Reuters, Al Arabiya, Anadolu Agency, and other reporting as of April 2, 2026. Details of the conversation remain subject to official readouts.