Russia, Saudi Arabia prepared to keep energy market stable

Russia and Saudi Arabia held a second, and unusual, phone call this week to discuss the OPEC agreement after officials from the group warned on Friday of the potential for a weaker oil market in 2021.

President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman spoke Saturday in what the Kremlin said was a continuation of an Oct. 13 conversation. The two discussed the OPEC cooperation “extensively,” the Kremlin said in an emailed statement.

“Both sides reiterated their readiness for further close coordination in this area in the interest of maintaining stability in the world energy market,” the Kremlin said.