MOSCOW. Aug 19 (Interfax) - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Envoy for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov discussed preparations for President Vladimir Putin's visit to Riyadh in October 2019 with Saudi Ambassador to Russia Raid bin Khalid Krimli, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on its website.
The meeting took place at the Saudi ambassador's request on Monday, it said.
"During the conversation, the parties discussed current issues of further strengthening the multifaceted Russian-Saudi interaction, attaching particular significance to preparations for Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Riyadh in October this year," the ministry said.
The two also discussed key items on the Middle East agenda, particularly problems surrounding the settlement of the crisis in Yemen, it said.
Saudi Minister of Energy, Industry, and Mineral Resources Khalid Al-Falih had said in June that Saudi Arabia was awaiting Putin's visit in October, and the Kremlin later confirmed this.