Why Saudi spymaster Bandar met Putin again

Saudi intelligence chief Prince Bandar bin Sultan has met Russian President Vladimir Putin near Moscow and discussed the war in Syria and Iran’s nuclear program, the Kremlin says.

Russia has staunchly supported President Bashar al-Assad during the conflict that hit the country in since March 2011, while Saudi Arabia has backed militants trying to overthrow the Syrian leader.

“There was a detailed exchange of opinions on the situation in Syria, including in the context of preparation for the Geneva 2 conference,” said a statement posted on the Kremlin website.

Russia and the United States first announced plans for the conference in May. In September, they brokered a deal to rid Syria of chemical weapons after an alleged sarin gas attack near Damascus in August, averting the possibility of US air strikes.

“Positive dynamics in the international efforts to settle the Iranian nuclear dossier were noted,” the Kremlin said.

Iran and six world powers, including Russia, clinched a historic deal last month over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.

Putin and Prince Bandar previously met in Russia in July.