The meeting between President Putin and Saudi Arabias Defence Minister at the forum in St. Petersburg is stealing the spotlight from the multi-million-dollar business deals.
When it comes to diplomacy, Russia and the Gulf kingdom are at opposite ends of the spectrum on a swathe of issues - starting with the civil war in Syria.
The Editor of Pan-African News Wire Abayomi Azikiwe says the Princes visit to Russia could precede a major change in Saudi diplomacy.