A bill has been introduced in the US Congress to punish Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the context of OPEC Plus deciding to cut oil production.
Incumbent Democrats Congressmen Sim Kasten, Tom Malinowski and Susan Wild introduced the bill, Reuters reported on Sunday.
According to the news, in a statement, these three lawmakers said that if Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates help Putin, they should seek their security from him.
Russian state-run media Russia Today (RT) reported that the three Democrats argued that OPEC Plus’ strategy to raise prices by cutting oil production is to boost Russia’s oil export revenue. They urged Gulf countries to show “greater willingness” to work with the US to “defeat Russia’s aggression in Ukraine” if they want to maintain good relations with Washington.
Last Wednesday, OPEC Plus, the organization of oil producing countries, decided to cut daily production in order to raise the price of oil in the international market. America opposed this decision of OPEC Plus. But key member countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have opted to cut oil production despite US pressure. For this reason America is now determined to punish both countries. Members of the US Congress say the two Persian Gulf monarchies are gradually siding with Russia. So US lawmakers want to punish Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates by withdrawing missile defense systems and troops.
They say Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates took this decision seriously despite President Biden’s recent visit to the Middle East. Through this, they have basically taken hostile steps with America and have clearly chosen Russia’s side in the Ukraine war.
The Biden administration has made extensive efforts to prevent OPEC’s recently announced reduction in oil production. Because President Biden wants to control the price of oil ahead of the midterm elections. Moreover, the US wants to reduce Russia’s income during the Ukraine war.
Biden called Saudi’s decision “regrettable” on Thursday. However, Washington will intervene more in the international oil market, he said.
However, a media outlet quoted Saudi as saying that if the United States wants more oil in the market, they should increase their own production.
About 3,000 US troops are stationed in Saudi Arabia and 2,000 in the United Arab Emirates. Both countries also operate state-of-the-art F-35 fighter jets and “other weapons systems” operated by American personnel. Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are Washington’s traditional main allies in the Middle East.
The US State Department also approved the sale of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) ballistic missile interceptors and MIM-104 Patriot air defense missile systems to Saudi Arabia in August.
09 October/ES