Russian weapons manufacturers with ties to Ukraine invasion participate in trade mission to Saudi Arabia

The event is organized by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and is aimed at increasing business ties between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

The companies attending the event include Russian Helicopters, which manufactures the Ka-52 Alligator helicopter, and Kamaz, which has been sanctioned for its role in aiding Russia's war effort.

The Russian state-owned defense systems and technology corporation, Rostec, will also be attending, as will Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear energy company.

The US Treasury has described Rostec as "the cornerstone of Russia's defense, industrial, technology, and manufacturing sectors" and has sanctioned the company.

The Saudi investment ministry is reportedly exploring the possibility of opening an office in Moscow and a similar trade forum with Chinese businesses was held recently.

The source said that the recent business events are a sign of a major reorientation of Saudi policy towards Russia and China, and away from the US and Western Europe.

Saudi Arabia is facing criticism from Democrats and some Republicans in the US Congress over its relationship with Russia and concerns that it may share sensitive US defense technology with its Russian allies.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia's support for Russia and its history of human rights violations have sparked a review of the US-Saudi relationship.

Saudi Arabia is also attempting to position itself as a political and economic partner to multiple leading powers, and its investment minister declared Riyadh the "political capital of the Middle East" at a conference in Qatar this week.

Saudi Arabia's trade minister appeared visibly irritated when asked about tensions between Washington and Riyadh, and noted that Saudi trade with China already exceeded that with the US and the EU combined.