The
Soviet Union was the first country to recognize and establish full diplomatic relations with
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1926.
Karim Khakimov was the first ambassador to the kingdom. He visited
King Ibn Saud's residence and delivered a formal note recognizing and approving his status as a King of Saudi Arabia from the Soviet Union and its allies. Karim Khakimov was also known as the Russian
Lawrence of Arabia. His mission was terminated in July 1928 but he was again appointed ambassador on December 7, 1935, and remained so until September 6, 1937. When Khakimov returned to the
Soviet Union he was executed on the order of Soviet leader
Joseph Stalin in 1938 on suspicion of espionage. Khakimov's execution greatly angered Ibn Saud, who referred to Khakimov as his closest friend. The relations between the two states deteriorated and the embassy in
Riyadh was closed, with
Soviet Muslims prevented from attending
hajj. This lasted until 1990, when relations were re-established and restrictions on the Soviet pilgrimages were also removed. Gennady Pavlovich Tarasov was appointed as the new ambassador to the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ==List of representatives (1924–present) ==