Gulf princes refuse to talk to Biden
The Wall Street Journal, citing White House sources, reported that the White House’s efforts to arrange a phone call between United States President Joe Biden, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, and the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, were unsuccessful.
Biden intends to discuss the situation in the oil market and gasoline prices with the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. One of the main topics of the conversation was also the issue of support for Ukraine in the international arena.
Anadolu Agency wrote that despite the efforts of the presidential administration, it was not possible to organize a telephone conversation.
According to the Wall Street Journal, relations between Biden and the crown princes are not at the best of times. The Saudi prince is unhappy with Washington’s position on the war in Yemen, as he cannot muster the full support of the United States. He also urged the United States to increase pressure on Iran, as well as abandon the investigation into the murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
On the other hand, the two princes, after refusing to speak to Biden, had a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, according to the article.
On the eve of Biden’s announcement of a ban on the import of Russian oil and gas to the United States. In a number of states, the price of gasoline has approached seven dollars a gallon. Delaware Senator Chris Coons predicted the onset of a global energy crisis due to the US administration’s ban on the purchase of energy resources from Russia.
