Saudi Arabia offers Russia 15 Billion Dollars for Russian Arms Deals if they let Assad fall

[RussiaPrussia]

Saudi Arabia dangles lucrative arms deal in front of Russia in exchange for dropping Assad – report (http://rt.com/news/bandar-putin-assad-saudi-188/)

Saudi Arabia has reportedly offered to buy arms worth up to $15 billion from Russia, and provided a raft of economic and political concessions to the Kremlin - all in a bid to weaken Moscow’s endorsement of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

The diplomatic initiatives were anonymously voiced to Reuters by multiple Gulf state diplomats and senior leaders of the Syrian opposition, in the wake of last week’s meeting in Moscow between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi National Security Council chief Prince Bandar bin-Sultan. The Saudi politician has orchestrated his country’s foreign policy in recent months.

"Bandar offered to intensify energy, military and economic cooperation with Moscow," a senior Syrian opposition figure told Reuters.

"Bandar sought to allay two main Russian fears: that Islamist extremists will replace Assad, and that Syria would become a conduit for Gulf, mainly Qatari, gas at the expense of Russia."

The $15 billion figure was touted by a representative of the anti-Assad opposition, which Saudi Arabia has strongly backed throughout the rebellion in Syria which has lasted more than two years. Meanwhile, a Gulf source claimed that no specific figure was involved.

Moscow and Riyadh, which traditionally acquires its arms from the United States, have had a massive contract on ice since 2008. Under Saudi Arabia’s terms, Russia would supply a huge assortment of equipment, including 150 T-90 tanks and more than 100 attack helicopters.

In the past, Moscow has supplied billions of dollars worth of weapons to Assad, as well as maintained a naval base in Syria.

Together with China, it has consistently blocked UN Security Council resolutions, saying they do not place any demands on the opposition - only on Assad.


Sources indicate that Bandar asked Putin to not oppose any future Security Council resolutions on Syria.

Bandar also reportedly assured Putin that Gulf states will not challenge Russia’s dominant position in the European gas markets, and promised him that extremist Islamic forces – which have gained prominence in the conflict – will not attempt to monopolize power in a future Syrian state.

While diplomats involved in the talks described them as “inconclusive,” one Lebanese emissary close to the delegation said its Saudi members were “elated.”

A Western diplomat told Reuters that Russia’s position was more a matter of prestige and geopolitics, and that the country was unlikely to publicly back down for the sake of mere economic incentives.

There has been no comment from the Kremlin on the outcome of the visit, other than to say that the delegates discussed a “wide range of issues” with President Putin.

A long-scheduled peace conference in Geneva, proposed by Russia and the US, has been pushed back and is currently under threat of cancellation. The meeting was supposed to achieve an immediate ceasefire and govern a political transition in Syria.

The conflict has largely hinged on whether President Bashar Assad will be banned from playing any political role in post-conflict Syria - a condition the opposition has demanded before it sits down at the negotiating table.

More than 100,000 people have perished in the conflict, according to UN estimates.

[ariel]

dirty arabs

[MarkyMark]

If Russia truly has moral values, they will not let their greed corrupt them.

[sevruk]

http://putinbog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/952888.jpg?w=720

[Dombra]

I truly hope they will not agree

[StonyArabia]

dirty arabs

Shut up you racist imbecile.

[Dombra]

Shut up you racist imbecile.

Thats what they are. You cant defend the Saudis.

[ariel]

Shut up you racist imbecile.

you are the racist here, i know what is your planning about syria...

[RussiaPrussia]

they should offer 25 billions

[StonyArabia]

you are the racist here, i know what is your planning about syria...

Tell me wise guy, since you are psychic, please do tell me, I am all ears!

[ariel]

Tell me wise guy, since you are psychic, please do tell me, I am all ears!

sharia law and radicalic islam

[StonyArabia]

sharia law and radicalic islam

Not at all, I want Syria to be Balkanized actually. With the Syrian Desert/Southeastern areas joining Western Iraq and Jordan forming a new state. I don't care about the rest of Syria, but about where my people reside in it.

[ariel]

Not at all, I want Syria to be Balkanized actually. With the Syrian Desert/Southeastern areas joining Western Iraq and Jordan forming a new state. I don't care about the rest of Syria, but about where my people reside in it.

but this not the what the saudi want.they want sharia law country.

[StonyArabia]

but this not the what the saudi want.they want sharia law country.

No, they don't they want to isolate Iran, because Assad is vital to Iran's arms reach for Hezbollah, and weaken the Hezbollah. It's also not only them that agree, in fact Jordan also wants to see Assad's demise, because they were the first nation to be concerned with the Shia Crescent. The only difference is that Jordan's activity is covert rather than public.

We know that Saudi Arabia does not care for Sharia Law, because it support all opposition to Assad the secular and the religious. They also are the ones responsible for the outset of Morsi along side the UAE. So to claim Saudi Arabia wants Sharia law in Syria is laughable it's far more than that.

a Balkanized Syria, and it might lead to change the borders drawn, and this the reason why many people oppose Assad for that region. This is especially true in Western Iraq, since the people there are hoping for Assad demise in order to create their own independent nation, alongside Jordan and of course with Syrian Desert/SouthEastern Syria joining the union, since blood links, culture, and genetics all play a role. SouthEastern Syrians/Syrian Desert are genetically and culturally the same as the people in Western Iraqis and Jordanians.

[Pontios]

I would lose a lot of respect for Russia if they agree to this...

[Shah-Jehan]

No, they don't they want to isolate Iran, because Assad is vital to Iran's arms reach for Hezbollah, and weaken the Hezbollah. It's also not only them that agree, in fact Jordan also wants to see Assad's demise, because they were the first nation to be concerned with the Shia Crescent. The only difference is that Jordan's activity is covert rather than public.

We know that Saudi Arabia does not care for Sharia Law, because it support all opposition to Assad the secular and the religious. They also are the ones responsible for the outset of Morsi along side the UAE. So to claim Saudi Arabia wants Sharia law in Syria is laughable it's far more than that.

a Balkanized Syria, and it might lead to change the borders drawn, and this the reason why many people oppose Assad for that region. This is especially true in Western Iraq, since the people there are hoping for Assad demise in order to create their own independent nation, alongside Jordan and of course with Syrian Desert/SouthEastern Syria joining the union, since blood links, culture, and genetics all play a role. SouthEastern Syrians/Syrian Desert are genetically and culturally the same as the people in Western Iraqis and Jordanians.
What aa100 doesn't understand is that Assad is the Baathist party leader which is an Arab Nationalist party combining elements of Socialism, if he manages to still govern Syria, Israel would be in a weak spot and they'll surely get back the "Golan Heights"...

[Melina]

I would lose a lot of respect for Russia if they agree to this...

This reminds me of Gaddafi all over again. Same thing ,different ruler.
I doubt Russia will accept because Putin will most probably get offended by the offer.


What aa100 doesn't understand is that Assad is the Baathist party leader which is an Arab Nationalist party combining elements of Socialism, if he manages to still govern Syria, Israel would be in a weak spot and they'll surely get back the "Golan Heights"...
Agreed. That is why Israel is trying to take Assad down.

[SilverKnight]

Putin is smart enough not to negotiate with rats!.

[Pontios]

Putin is smart enough not to negotiate with rats!.

Saudis are just American puppets anyways. :lol:

[glass]

Saudis are just American puppets anyways. :lol:
i would say americans are puppets of saudis, since they do anything saudis want even agaisnt their own interests.

anyway muslims and arabs are just dirty liers and cheaters, putin is not stupid enough to accept this "deal"

[Lemon Kush]

Russia shouldn't do this imo. 15 billion USD of a already devalued currency which will only continue to plummet in exchange for losing a key ally in the region.

[StonyArabia]

Russia shouldn't do this imo. 15 million USD of a already devalued currency which will only continue to plummet in exchange for losing a key ally in the region.

They already have Iran. Most people don't want Russia or Anglo-America to be present in the ideal situation, but the preferable one is the latter clearly. Most Syrians were burning Russian flags clearly sending message that they don't like the presence of Russia, and Russia lucklly can't do much because the U.S limits it's power. I hope that the Russian base of Tartus will end and expel it from Syria and the Med region.

[Wadaad]

Thats what they are. You cant defend the Saudis.

Even I agree...this is just lowdown and pathetic. "We will buy stuff from you if you dont support Assad"...But if Putin really presses them and asks for a Russian base on the Persian Gulf or Red Sea...they will decline "We are America's bitch, sorry Putin"

A Pimp cant be a ho, and a ho cant be a pimp...

[StonyArabia]

No base for Russia in the Persian Gulf. It's good they will never have access to it. Like I have said American/British bases there are not ideal, but imagine Russia there it will only create discord and mayhem where ever its present.

[Lemon Kush]

I just read that the real reason Russia is supporting Assad is fear of the spread of Islamic radicalism and losing its status as a superpower. Sounds like propaganda to me...

[CrystalMaiden]

Even I agree...this is just lowdown and pathetic. "We will buy stuff from you if you dont support Assad"...But if Putin really presses them and asks for a Russian base on the Persian Gulf or Red Sea...they will decline "We are America's bitch, sorry Putin"

A Pimp cant be a ho, and a ho cant be a pimp...

True dat.

[SilverKnight]

No base for Russia in the Persian Gulf. It's good they will never have access to it. Like I have said American/British bases there are not ideal, but imagine Russia there it will only create discord and mayhem where ever its present.


Would be nice to see a Russian base in the Persian golf, this could balance things up. I would suggest Russia to build part of its missile shield in Iran and / or Syria as well, along with at least one naval and one military base in each of these countries. They could also use Armenia and the northern part of Iran as a military transport gateway, for logistics/ supplies, air support and if necessary, reinforcements.

[glass]

I just read that the real reason Russia is supporting Assad is fear of the spread of Islamic radicalism and losing its status as a superpower. Sounds like propaganda to me...
Russia supports Assad because there are only 2 alternatives secular state with dictator or sharia law, first is lesser evil

[Hayalet]

Russia supports Assad because there are only 2 alternatives secular state with dictator or sharia law, first is lesser evil
Nonsense. Russia supports Assad because of her geopolitical interests. Otherwise, you can't possibly explain their support to Iran, which is more of a proper theocracy than Saudi Arabia.

[Mraz]

Saudis are obviously thinking that Russia is a prostitute. Lets see.

[glass]

Nonsense. Russia supports Assad because of her geopolitical interests. Otherwise, you can't possibly explain their support to Iran, which is more of a proper theocracy than Saudi Arabia.
well yes, sharia law countries and lawless territories runed by islamists are not Russia geopolitical interests
btw, it is saudi sponsored scum spread wahhabi ideas and blow buidings and people in white countries not iranian or syrian ones.

Saudis are obviously thinking that Russia as prostitute as western free world political leaders. Lets see.
fixed

[Melina]

Russia shouldn't do this imo. 15 billion USD of a already devalued currency which will only continue to plummet in exchange for losing a key ally in the region.

Yes I agree. The dollar in a few years will be worth nothing. Dollars are more like paper money with no value.