Saudi Arabia’s defense minister said on Sunday that he and other senior officials are “stunned” by allegations that Saudi Arabia has aligned itself with Russia due to OPEC’s decision to cut oil production by two. millions of barrels per day.
“Although the OPEC + decision, taken unanimously, was due to purely economic reasons, some accused the Kingdom of being with Russia,” Khalid bin Salman, the defense minister, tweeted on Sunday.
“Iran is also a member of OPEC, does this mean that the Kingdom is also with Iran?”
The oil cut came as President Biden and other Western leaders urged more production to cut prices and take away the main source of income for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war machine.
A flame burns exhaust gases from Saudi Aramco’s oil refinery and Ras Tanura terminal in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia.
(Simon Dawson / Bloomberg via Getty Images)
After OPEC + announced the decision, White House officials said the United States would reassess its relations with Saudi Arabia.
SEN. BOB MENENDEZ ASKS FOR THE END OF ALL COOPERATION WITH SAUDI ARABIA ON OPEC + OIL CUT
“We believe that the decision made by OPEC + last week, [Saudi Arabia is] certainly aligning with Russia, “White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a press conference this week.” And right now, this is not the time to align with Russia, especially with this brutal, no-nonsense war. precedents that started in Ukraine. ”
President Joe Biden (CL) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C) arrive for the family photo during the Jeddah Security and Development Summit (GCC + 3) at a hotel in the coastal city of Jeddah, in the Mar Rosso, in Saudi Arabia, on July 16, 2022.
(MANDEL NGAN / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Sunday that President Biden has no plans to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G20 summit next month.
“The President will not act hastily, he will act methodically, strategically and will take his time to consult with members of both parties, and also to have an opportunity for the return of Congress so that he can sit down with them. in person and analyze your options, ”Sullivan told CNN on Sunday.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Saudi Arabia announced $ 400 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine this week and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
