From “Red Pasha” to Oil Alliance: One Hundred Years of Russian-Saudi Diplomatic Relations

In 2026, Moscow and Riyadh are celebrating a significant milestone — the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. In Moscow, a ceremonial meeting of the Khakimov Club was dedicated to this epochal date.

The First Recognition and the Mission of the “Red Pasha”

The history of relations dates back to February 16, 1926, when the Soviet Union became the first world power to recognize the new state — the Kingdom of Hejaz, Nejd and its annexed territories, under the rule of Abdulaziz Al Saud. A key role in this was played by the diplomat Karim Khakimov, who, due to his influence and the respect he commanded among the Bedouins, was nicknamed the “Red Pasha.” He not only gained the favor of the future king but also arranged for the supply of weapons and food to the young kingdom, including much-needed gasoline and kerosene. Because Khakimov was an ethnic Bashkir, a Muslim, fluent in Arabic, and deeply knowledgeable about local customs, he managed to establish a trusting, almost friendly, relationship with the king.

However, this promising start was tragically interrupted. At the end of 1938, diplomatic relations were effectively severed. The official reason given for freezing contacts was Khakimov’s recall, but the true reasons were deeper and more dramatic. King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud’s decision to break off all relations with the USSR was dictated by two main factors related to Khakimov’s personality and Moscow’s policies:

-Personal Tragedy and Betrayed Friendship. In September 1937, Karim Khakimov was urgently recalled to Moscow. The King, who by then was well-informed about events in the USSR, fully understood the fate awaiting his friend. According to testimonies, Ibn Saud personally offered Khakimov political asylum in Saudi Arabia, guaranteeing his safety. However, Khakimov, faithful to his diplomatic duty, refused and returned to his homeland, where in January 1938 he was executed on charges of espionage.

Upon learning of the execution of a man he considered a personal friend and who had done so much for the establishment of his state, the king was furious. This was not just a political move, but a deep personal affront. Ibn Saud made it clear that he did not wish to see any other representative of the Kremlin in his country. He declared that he would never accept any other plenipotentiary except Karim Khakimov. For an Eastern monarch who valued loyalty and personal relationships above all else, the murder of an envoy was an act of unprecedented treachery that nullified years of trust-building.

The Ideological Rupture. Beyond the personal drama, the policies of the Soviet leadership also played a significant role. In the 1930s, the anti-religious campaign intensified sharply in the USSR. The atheistic essence of the regime, the closure of mosques, and the persecution of believers stood in irreconcilable........

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