As many as seven sanctioned Russian weapons manufacturers, will be visiting Saudi Arabia to increase business with the Gulf State as part of a trade mission. Weapon manufacturers with direct links to the Russian military, corporations having direct association with the Ukraine war and agency overseeing a Ukrainian nuclear plant, are all set to attend.
The already strained relationship between Saudi Arabia and USA will further deteriorate seeing Saudi Arabia’s willingness to have business ties with Russian sanctioned companies.
At the event in Riyadh, companies listed as attendees include the Russian military industrial sector. Kamaz, sanctioned for its role in Russia’s war effort, an armoured vehicle manufacturer, will be attending the Riyadh summit. Another significant participant is Rostec, a Russian owned technology corporation and defence system that has been a major supplier in the war. Rostec has been described by the US Treasury as the cornerstone of Russia’s technology, manufacturing, defence and industrial sector.
Another participant grabbing attention is Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear energy company. According to a Ukrainian report, Rosatom facilitated the Russian military’s seizure of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant last year, and has since taken over managing the facility. However, Rosatom denies the claims.
Saudi Arabia’s Growing Tensions with US
The relationship that Riyadh shares with Moscow has created tensions in Washington. Last year Joe Biden had to threaten the kingdom with ‘consequences’ when Saudi Arabia sided with Russia over Washington interest by cutting oil production shortly before US midterm elections.
Though the White house has backed off on its threats against Riyadh, its anger towards the government is still present among the various republicans and democrats. Some are concerned that Saudi might share, with its Russian allies, sensitive US defence technology.
A democratic congressman and Saudi critic, Ro Khanna, expressed his concern on the US-Saudi relationship, highlighting Saudi’s history of human rights violations and now its support for Russia.
The UK government may also be triggered by the trade gathering which will be taking place shortly after a British trade mission aimed at acquiring an investment deal between the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which Saudi Arabia is a member and the UK.
Riyadh : Political Capital of Middle East
Saudi Arabia investment minister, Khalid Al-Falih remarked Riyadh as the political capital of the Middle East, earlier during the Qatar Economic Forum. The deputy of Falih is a speaker at the Russian Trade gathering.
Saudi Arabia, trying to play all sides by situating itself as a geographical partner to several leading powers, was visible at a conference in California when Falih told political figures and business tycoons that Saudi was not constrained by its pre-existing ties. When asked about tensions with Washington, he seemed irritated and remarked that Saudi’s relationship with China in terms of trade had already exceeded that of the US and the EU combined. He further added that the country will not put that at risk just to some country that it is on their side.
