Russia descends on the Gulf: the new move connecting Moscow to Saudi Arabia, Qatar - and Iran

Russia is advancing the expansion of the 'North-South' corridor to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, aiming to connect Moscow to the Gulf, India, and non-Western markets. The corridor, spanning 7,200 km, will link St. Petersburg to Mumbai. Agreements with Qatar and Saudi Arabia are still in preparation.

Russia is advancing the expansion of the 'North-South' corridor toward Qatar and Saudi Arabia, after already signing memorandums with Iran and other countries. The corridor, about 7,200 kilometers long, is intended to connect St. Petersburg to Mumbai port in India via railways, roads, and sea routes, and includes three main routes: a trans-Caspian route and two land routes. For Moscow, expanding the corridor to the Gulf states could deepen trade ties with non-Western markets and connect Arab ports to a logistics network passing through Iran and Russia. The move is significant amid Russia's efforts to expand alternatives to traditional trade routes with Europe and establish more direct transport links with the Gulf, South Asia, and India. However, according to Russian reports, agreements with Qatar and Saudi Arabia are still in preparation, and no date for their signing has been announced.