(CNN) – The White House said Tuesday that it has taken note of the steps taken by Saudi Arabia in recent days to support Ukraine, as US President Joe Biden considers the possibility of reviewing relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia.
The White House statement is noteworthy because Biden has previously accused Riyadh of siding with Russia after the Saudi-led “OPEC Plus” organization announced a reduction in oil production, a move that could lead to an increase in oil prices, and Saudi officials strongly denied this Ma Biden promised Saudi Arabia “consequences” for this move, and his aides said the US president would rethink Washington’s long-term relations with The kingdom.
White House spokesperson Karen-Jean-Pierre told reporters that the US president “continues to think strategically about what the review process is and how we move forward with this relationship,” but added that the White House has taken note of the recent steps that show that Saudi Arabia is in step with the times. Ukraine.
He continued: “We have noticed since OPEC Plus reduced its production that Saudi Arabia voted against Russia at the United Nations and has also pledged to provide $ 4 million to support Ukraine’s reconstruction. Despite this, these steps do not compensate for the reduction in oil production, but they are noteworthy. “
“We will see what the kingdom will do in the coming weeks and inform our consultations and reviews,” the White House spokesperson added.
The spokesperson’s comments are more conciliatory than previous statements by the US administration, which accused Saudi Arabia of trying to “manipulate” by making the decision to reduce oil production.
Biden said in an interview with CNN host Jake Tapper that he is looking forward to taking action against Saudi Arabia and said, “There will be consequences for what they did with Russia,” but on Tuesday Jean-Pierre he said that “the last steps will be considered (by Saudi Arabia)”, while Biden prepares to respond “.
“We have been very clear, we take note of some of the actions they have taken, as I have just made clear, at the United Nations and of what Saudi Arabia has been able to do to help Ukraine, because it is a very important thing. “. she said.
Interestingly, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said Tuesday, on the sidelines of his participation in the “Future Investment Initiative” conference in the Saudi capital, that his country has decided to tackle “maturity” towards the tense relations between the United Kingdom and the United States, after the dispute over the decision of the OPEC Plus group
The Saudi Energy Minister added: “We will supply oil to all who need us, and it is my duty to warn against the use of strategic precautions.”
He said using strategic oil reserves could be painful in the coming months and noted that “everyone is talking about a recession and it’s important to protect yourself from the worst.”
The Saudi official believed that the current energy crisis “could be the worst” and that his country is communicating with many European governments about it and to ensure that its needs are met.
He stressed that the Kingdom is the most reliable oil supplier, noting that Aramco’s exports to Europe amounted to 950,000 barrels of oil last September.
Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih told the Future Investment Initiative that the relationship between the queen and the United States is “historic and solid” and that Washington is a “strong ally” of Riyadh.
