There’s no validity to reports Saudi Arabia may be discussing oil production cuts with Russia in exchange for concessions on Syria, an official said Wednesday. A report published Tuesday by The New York Times says the government in Riyadh is using its leverage in the global oil market to pressure the Kremlin to reconsider its long-standing alliance with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Alexei Pushkov, head of the international affairs committee in the Russian State Duma, said there was nothing behind the Times’ report, which cited “an array of diplomatic, intelligence and political officials.” “There have been no negotiations on cutting oil production by the Saudis in exchange for Moscow’s refusal to support Assad,” he said. “[The report is] a canard.” […]