Putin Trots Around Middle East, All Smiles With MbS, While US Can’t Secure Ukraine Funding It was no mere awkward fist bump, but instead Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reception in Riyadh Wednesday was clearly very warm and enthusiastic. From the moment Putin walked out onto a royal purple carpet-bedecked airport tarmac to later being officially greeted by crown prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), it was chummy handshakes, back slaps and smiles all the way around.  Mohammed bin Salman welcomes Vladimir Putin to Riyadh on Wednesday, AFP via Getty Images “Nothing can prevent the development of our friendly relations,” Putin told MbS, and invited him to visit Moscow in return. “It is very important for all of us to exchange information and assessments with you on what is happening in the region. Our meeting is certainly timely,” Putin said. Below is the moment of Putin’s being received and welcomed by a glowing MbS, ironically at the very moment President Biden gave a White House speech bemoaning the inability of Congress to pass Ukraine defense funding, which runs out in three weeks… #Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman meets with #Russia‘s President Vladimir Putin – they seem quite friendly pic.twitter.com/uYTlqDPit5 — Michael A. Horowitz (@michaelh992) December 6, 2023 As Deutsche Welle reviews, the discussions likely centered on the planned OPEC+ output cuts and the Gaza War and regional crisis in the wake of the Oct.7 Hamas attack: The Kremlin said talks in Saudi Arabia would involve discussions on energy cooperation, including as part of OPEC+, whose members pump more than 40% of the world’s oil. Other items on the agenda include Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, the situation in Syria and Yemen, and broader issues of stability in the Gulf, as well as the war in Ukraine, the Kremlin said. Prior to his arrival in Saudi