Or they could tell Assad and he would probably launch all those missiles intended for Israel at Saudi Arabia.
Russia is definitely interested in controlling more of the oil market, and I have suspected for quite a while they would like SA to be a legitimate target for a big strike on their oilfields.
Logically, the Russians should blow 'em up, as they are completely untrustworthy any other way but dead.
Russia tends to respect alliances, no matter how costly it is.
Also, they have been at war with Sunni islam for centuries and Saudi Arabia is an epicenter. It is a matter of culture, values, probably a racist moment involved but it is how it is. It is mutual from the other side. Russians are extremely non-halal uberinfidels by muslim’s books.
Any alliance between SA and Russia is about as realistic as an alliance between Hitler and Stalin in 1942.
No matter how good a bargain is, it is pretty much impossible.
Too much Russian blood on Sunni jihadi hands and vice versa.
The Ruskies controlling interest in Syria is the naval base they’ve built there. They will not go for any deal that does not guarantee the continued access to that port. There is no way the Soddies could guarantee the Russians a controlling piece of the world oil market beyond what the Russians drill for themselves. Besides the Russians are tired of not getting paid back for the weapons they sell to the ME. As I recall Saddam left them on the hook for about 9 bil$. Kdaffy too. And the plan is “secret”, right? I’m throwing the BS flag on the whole story.