List of ambassadors of Russia to Saudi Arabia

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the official representative of the President and the Government of the Russian Federation to the King and the Government of Saudi Arabia.

Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
سفير الاتحاد الروسي لدى المملكة العربية السعودية
Emblem of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia
Incumbent
Sergei Kozlov
since 20 February 2017
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia)
StyleHis Excellency
SeatRiyadh
NominatorThe President of Russia
Formation1926
First holderKarim Khakimov
WebsiteEmbassy of Russia in Riyadh

The ambassador and his staff work at large in the Embassy of Russia in Riyadh. There is a Consulate General in Jeddah.[1]

The post of Russian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates is currently held by Sergei Kozlov, incumbent since 20 February 2017.[2]

History of diplomatic relations
Main article: Russia–Saudi Arabia relations

The Soviet Union was the first country to recognize and establish full diplomatic relations with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1926. Karim Khakimov was the first ambassador to the kingdom. He visited King Ibn Saud's residence and delivered a formal note recognizing and approving his status as a King of Saudi Arabia from the Soviet Union and its allies. Karim Khakimov was also known as the Russian Lawrence of Arabia. His mission was terminated in July 1928 but he was again appointed ambassador on December 7, 1935, and remained so until September 6, 1937. When Khakimov returned to the Soviet Union he was executed on the order of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in 1938 on suspicion of espionage. Khakimov's execution greatly angered Ibn Saud, who referred to Khakimov as his closest friend. The relations between the two states deteriorated and the embassy in Riyadh was closed, with Soviet Muslims prevented from attending hajj. This lasted until 1990, when relations were re-established and restrictions on the Soviet pilgrimages were also removed. Gennady Pavlovich Tarasov was appointed as the new ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

List of representatives (1924 - present)

Representatives of the Soviet Union to Saudi Arabia (1924 – 1991)
Name Title Appointment Termination Notes
Karim Khakimov Diplomatic representative (until February 1926)
Consul General (after February 1926)		 24 April 1924 July 1928
Nazir Tyuryakulov Consul General (until 1 January 1930)
Diplomatic representative (after 1 January 1930)		 July 1928 7 December 1935
Karim Khakimov Diplomatic representative 7 December 1935 6 September 1937
Diplomatic relations interrupted (1938 - 1990)
Gennady Tarasov Ambassador 18 October 1990 25 December 1991

Representatives of the Russian Federation to Saudi Arabia (1991 – present)
Name Title Appointment Termination Notes
Gennady Tarasov Ambassador 25 December 1991 6 September 1996
Igor Melikhov Ambassador 6 September 1996 17 October 2000
Andrey Baklanov Ambassador 17 October 2000 22 September 2005
Viktor Kudryavtsev Ambassador 22 September 2005 8 February 2010
Oleg Ozerov Ambassador 8 February 2010 20 February 2017
Sergei Kozlov Ambassador 20 February 2017

See also

References
  1. "Embassy of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia). Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  2. "H.E. Sergei Kozlov Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United Arab Emirates". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia). Retrieved 14 September 2019.
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