WSJ News Exclusive | Saudi, Emirati Leaders Decline Calls With Biden During Ukraine Crisis

The rift between President Biden and Saudi Arabia’s crown prince stretches back to the 2020 campaign, when Mr. Biden criticized the kingdom over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The White House unsuccessfully tried to arrange calls between President Biden and the de facto leaders of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as the U.S. was working to build international support for Ukraine and contain a surge in oil prices, said Middle East and U.S. officials.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the U.A.E.’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan both declined U.S. requests to speak to Mr. Biden in recent weeks, the officials said, as Saudi and Emirati officials have become more vocal in recent weeks in their criticism of American policy in the Gulf.

“There was some expectation of a phone call, but it didn’t happen,“ said a U.S. official of the planned discussion between the Saudi Prince Mohammed and Mr. Biden. ”It was part of turning on the spigot [of Saudi oil].”

Mr. Biden did speak with Prince Mohammed’s 86-year-old father, King Salman, on Feb. 9, when the two men reiterated their countries’ longstanding partnership. The U.A.E.’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the call between Mr. Biden and Sheikh Mohammed would be rescheduled.

The Saudis have signaled that their relationship with Washington has deteriorated under the Biden administration, and they want more support for their intervention in Yemen’s civil war, help with their own civilian nuclear program as Iran’s moves ahead, and legal immunity for Prince Mohammed in the U.S., Saudi officials said. The crown prince faces multiple lawsuits in the U.S., including over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

President Biden announced Tuesday a ban on Russian oil imports into the U.S., amid growing calls from bipartisan lawmakers to take action. The U.S. will also ban imports of Russian natural gas and other energy sources, Biden said. Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
The Emiratis share Saudi concerns about the restrained U.S. response to recent missile strikes by Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen against the U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia, officials said. Both governments are also concerned about the revival of the Iran nuclear deal, which doesn’t address other security concerns of theirs and has entered the final stages of negotiations in recent weeks.

The White House has worked to repair relations with two key Middle Eastern countries it needs on its side as oil prices push over $130 a barrel for the first time in almost 14 years. Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. are the only two major oil producers that can pump millions of more barrels of more oil—a capacity that, if used, could help calm the crude market at a time when American gasoline prices are at high levels.

Brett McGurk, the National Security Council’s Middle East coordinator, and Amos Hochstein, the State Department’s energy envoy, both traveled to Riyadh late last month to try to mend fences with Saudi officials. Mr. McGurk also met with Sheikh Mohammed in Abu Dhabi in a bid to address Emirati frustrations over the U.S. response to the Houthi attacks.

One U.S. official said the Biden administration has worked diligently to strengthen Saudi and Emirati missile defenses, and that America would be doing more in the coming months to help the two Gulf nations protect themselves. It may not be all the two countries want, the official said, but the U.S. is trying to address their security concerns.

But the Saudis and Emiratis have declined to pump more oil, saying they are sticking to a production plan approved between their group, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, and a group of other producers led by Russia. The energy alliance with Russia, one of the world’s top oil producers, has enhanced OPEC’s the power of OPEC while also bringing the Saudis and Emiratis closer to Moscow.

Both Prince Mohammed and Sheikh Mohammed took phone calls from Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, after declining to speak with Mr. Biden. They both later spoke with Ukraine’s president, and a Saudi official said the U.S. had requested that Prince Mohammed mediate in the conflict, which he said the kingdom is embarking on.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/saudi-emirati-leaders-decline-calls-with-biden-during-ukraine-crisis-11646779430?mod=e2tw

This is what happens when you put a DUMPTY in charge. Joe Nothing was RIGGED into the white house despite a colossal disastrous record in corridors of the American power for over five decades. Joe is a congenital failure who lied his to the top. Most UNDESERVING of any position of authority. He has messed up all the good things left behind by his predecessor.

AMERICA GROANS FOR SUCCUR UNDER Joe Nothing, THE DUMPTY.

When Ex President Donald Trump was baby seating North Korea President Kim Jong-un it look foolish but diplomacy is not always about been right but about agreeing at a neutral point where everyone feels good . I am really disappointed with President Biden especially giving that he promise a robust Foreign Affair's Policy that would reduce United States enemies , unfortunately I didn't see that in the Ukraine - Russia episode the western media literally blackmail Russia to attack Ukraine. Now the deed has been done , we should find ways to deescalate the tension, supplying arms although necessary only prolong the War and they are literally Millions of people going to be affected directly and Billions of people indirectly, are we really all crazy? Please let us find a backdoor approach to look into whatever the grievance's are and try to deescalate. I know from historical record this is not the first time Crimea has been in dispute. Russia should not in anyway expect all it's demand be meant , if 60 % is achieve I think it is okay to take that and go home.

Good for them honestly. Sometimes i just feel why meddled in an affairs which doesnt concerns you in the first place.

Stupid American woke morons with the help of CNN won't know the damages they have done to America.
If it's trump, Russia would never invade Ukraine cos Trump always have this skill of dialogue and negotiation where everyone leaves happily.
Now, even all America allies are keeping silent to tell you that they are not in support of Joe.
Trump visited India, Saudi, north Korea l, isreal and many more ally countries during his time to strengthen their relationship.
Biden na to dey follow democrats woke females around like mumu wey no get future him Sabi.
His only concern now na transgenders and electing unqualified females into US Congress while the world is going wild.

princemillla:
Good for them honestly. Sometimes i just feel why meddled in an affairs which doesnt concerns you in the first place.

The world is now a global village every affairs to an extent affects everyone. I think people should intervene but not meddle.

Shit! Americans have passed through tougher times than this and emerged powerful as they are.

Why does the USA thinks the world revolve around them? They only become your friend when they need something from you.

dettolgel:


The world is now a global village every affairs to an extent affects everyone. I think people should intervene but not meddle.

And when it leads to world war. You will realise it is a stupid idea.

BIDEN HAS NO TIME FOR ARABS' PETTINESS NOW. HE WANTS TO DEAL SERIOUSLY WITH PUTIN FIRST.