Saudi king's golden escalator jams mid entrance into Moscow

The king of Saudi Arabia suffered an embarrassing moment as his custom gold escalator broke down as he made his arrival into Russia.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was riding on the luxury escalator after landing in Moscow's Vnukovo airport on Thursday evening.

However things didn’t quite go to plan when the escalator jammed.

Saudi Arabia King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (front) steps down from his plane upon his arrival in Moscow. Source: AAP

After a pause, the 81-year-old royal had no choice but to walk down the remaining steps.

It’s the first time the Saudi monarch had paid visit to Russia for official business.

He was there to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Saudi King Salman listen to national anthems during their meeting in Kremlin, Moscow. Source: AAP

King Salman and President Putin on Thursday signed a slew of arms and energy deals as the key US ally seeks to deepen cooperation with Moscow.

The two countries also signed a series of multi-billion dollar investment deals including one to create a $1 billion fund to pursue energy projects. 

"This is the first visit by a Saudi Arabian monarch in the history of our relations and that in itself is a landmark event," Putin said as he welcomed 81-year-old King Salman to Moscow in an ornate gilded Kremlin hall.

"We aim to strengthen our relations in the interests of peace and security, in the interests of developing the world economy," the Saudi king responded.

- With AFP