The leak reveals that Saudi Arabia agreed to pay Russia over 2 billion euros under a contract signed in 2021 involving companies that were repeatedly sanctioned, both before and after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russia has been exporting arms to countries including Saudi Arabia, bolstering its economy after a barrage of sanctions followed its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In fact, the Saudi Press Agency’s announcement that the kingdom would invest $600bn was based on the royal palace’s readout of a Wednesday phone call between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This is Trump’s first phone call with a foreign leader since his inauguration earlier this week.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Friday from Damascus that his country was engaged in an active dialogue with Europe and the U.S. to help lift economic sanctions imposed on Syria.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he will demand Saudi Arabia and OPEC bring down the cost of oil and will ask Riyadh to increase a planned U.S. investment package to $1 trillion from an initial reported $600 billion.

Ukraine has hit one of Russia’s biggest oil refineries in a drone strike overnight, Russian media reports have said. Large flames and plumes of smoke rose from the Ryazan Oil Refinery after locals reported explosions shortly before 1am on Sunday,

U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted that his first international visit could be to Saudi Arabia, contingent on securing a substantial trade deal worth up to $600 billion. Speaking to reporters, Trump emphasised the potential for Saudi Arabia to influence the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war by increasing oil production,

China's crude oil imports from Russia increased by 1% in 2024, setting a new record compared with 2023. The rise in imports reflects China's preference for discounted Russian supplies amid weakened refining margins, reported Reuters.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledges $600 billion in US investments, backed by Trump’s endorsement. This move might leverage Saudi influence

Saudi Arabia "needs to punch at (its) weight" on the global stage given its growing institutional presence and the return of Donald Trump, the kingdom's finance minister told AFP in Davos."We are a key player in the world,