Russia ready to hold talks with Saudi Arabia before Doha meeting

NOVOKUZNETSK, Apr 4 (PRIME) -- Russia has not discussed limiting oil production levels with Saudi Arabia, but Moscow is ready to hold negotiations with Riyadh before an April 17 meeting, where 15 states will discuss a possible production freeze, Energy Minister Alexander Novak told reporters on Monday.

“No, we have not discussed it with them,” he said. “If there is such an opportunity or necessity, we will hold such negotiations certainly.”

In February, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Venezuela agreed to freeze 2016 oil output at the January level if other oil producers join the initiative. Ecuador, Algeria, Nigeria, Oman, Kuwait, and the UAE were among the countries which expressed their readiness to join the initiative.

On April 1, Bloomberg reported citing Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that the country will only freeze its oil output if Iran and other major producers do so.

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