Donald Trump has inked the biggest arms deal in history to supply Saudi Arabia with $142bn worth of weapons, the White House says.
The sale is part of a landmark $600 billion deal with Jeddah that was signed after Trump landed in Riyadh to kickstart his Middle East tour on Tuesday.
The deal would improve the defence capabilities of Saudi, including its military academies.
Energy, mining, space, and sport are also part of the gigantic agreement – which fell short of Trump’s $1tn goal.
Powerful business executives travelled with Trump, including his key ally and SpaceX boss Elon Musk , finance titan BlackRock’s founders, and chip giant Nvidia’s founder and CEO.
Trump’s arrival in Riyadh was met with a lavish reception from Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The centerpiece of the visit was the signing of a $600 billion deal, described as a “strategic economic partnership” covering energy, mining, and defense sectors.
Additionally, a $142 billion defense sales agreement was finalized, underscoring the deepening ties between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. The White House also reported securing $600 billion in Saudi investments, highlighting the economic stakes of the visit.
The presence of high-profile figures, including Elon Musk, at the signing ceremony emphasized the global significance of the agreements.
Trump’s agenda in the region extends beyond Saudi Arabia, with planned visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates between May 13 and 16. Discussions are expected to focus on critical issues such as Iran’s nuclear program, ending the war in Gaza, and stabilizing oil prices.
Amid the economic and diplomatic engagements, Trump’s tour has taken on an unexpected dimension with the possibility of his involvement in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has offered to mediate direct talks in Istanbul on May 15, following Putin’s proposal for negotiations.
Zelensky has confirmed his attendance, challenging Putin to meet face-to-face, while Trump has expressed openness to joining the summit if Putin attends.
The potential talks stem from a complex diplomatic push. Zelensky has insisted on an unconditional 30-day ceasefire as a prerequisite for negotiations, a position supported by European leaders and initially endorsed by Trump’s envoy, Keith Kellogg.
However, Putin’s counterproposal for direct talks without a prior ceasefire has created tension, with Trump publicly urging Zelensky to accept the meeting immediately.
This shift has raised concerns among Ukraine’s allies about undermining the ceasefire-first approach.
Zelensky’s insistence that only Putin, not other Russian representatives, attend the talks underscores the high stakes. He has accused Putin of being “scared” of direct negotiations, adding a layer of psychological brinkmanship.
The Kremlin has remained noncommittal about Putin’s attendance, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that a decision would be announced when deemed appropriate.
The prospect of Trump’s participation has intensified pressure on Putin, with analysts suggesting that his presence could elevate the talks’ significance.
Zelensky has also noted China’s support for a 30-day ceasefire, adding a geopolitical dimension to the negotiations.
Meanwhile, European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have reiterated their demand for a ceasefire, warning of “massive” sanctions on Russia’s energy and banking sectors if Putin does not comply.
However, Trump’s alignment with Putin’s proposal has strained transatlantic unity.
His social media posts urging immediate talks have been criticized for undercutting European efforts to pressure Russia. Former U.S. President Joe Biden has called such moves “modern-day appeasement,” reflecting broader concerns about Trump’s approach to Russia.
