LONDON, July 21 (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke by phone on Thursday and underlined the importance of further cooperation within the OPEC+ group of oil producers, the Kremlin said.

The conversation took place six days after U.S. President Joe Biden visited the prince in Saudi Arabia – highlighting the kingdom’s importance to both Washington and Moscow at a time when Russia’s war in Ukraine is roiling global energy markets.