Despite a report in the Wall Street Journal yesterday that the OPEC+ alliance was considering suspending Russia from the agreement, details of a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, show that the OPEC+ alliance is solid, with a high level of cooperation within it.

“They noted the stabilising effect that the tight cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia has on world markets for hydrocarbons in this strategically important sector,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement after the meeting.

The announcement follows a report in the Wall Street Journal that some OPEC members are considering eliminating Russia from the expanded cartel because to Western sanctions affecting its supply.

The OPEC+ members with the highest spare production capacity are Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Although both countries have frequently stated that they have no plans to increase crude oil output beyond their OPEC+ quotas, a change in Russia’s involvement in the agreement might change their minds.

Today, OPEC+ will meet to discuss the production deal.