The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman have held talks by phone

on cooperation within the OPEC+ group of oil producing countries in order to maintain oil price stability.

The pair’s discussion came as minister from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

and allies led by Russia, known collectively as OPEC+, prepare to hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday.

Russian oil production has so far shown resilience in the face of Western sanctions imposed after Moscow

Moscow sent troops into Ukraine last February and price caps introduced by Western countries in December.