The leaders of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) refused to communicate with US President Joe Biden as the war in Ukraine intensifies, Middle East and US officials told the Wall Street Journal.
“It simply came to our notice then for a phone call, but it did not happen “, a US official commented in the newspaper about a telephone communication between Biden and the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “It simply came to our notice then of the oil tap of Saudi Arabia, “he added.
UAE leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed also denied any communication from Biden, according to officials.
Officials told the American newspaper that US relations with the two Gulf countries have deteriorated due to the Biden government’s lack of support in the war in Yemen and the new negotiations on the Iran nuclear deal.
Saudi Arabia also pushes for US legal immunity for Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salmanwho is accused of killing the journalist Jamal Kasogi in 2018. A US official commented that “they have worked with the two countries to strengthen their defense amid concerns about Iran, according to the newspaper.”
The United States is gathering international support for Ukraine, as some countries have remained neutral on the Russian invasion.
Washington is probably looking at Iran, Saudi Arabia even Venezuela for talks on oil, as it cuts off Russian oil imports.
Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have said they will not produce more oil than agreed by OPEC, the Journal reported.
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