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Boris Johnson visits Saudi Arabia on quest for more oil — Analysis

The prime minister proposed a new ‘coalition’ of energy exporters and said the world must ‘wean’ itself off Russian oil

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to travel to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to discuss how to boost Middle Eastern oil and gas exports and reduce purchases from Russia, denouncing Moscow’s military action in Ukraine while saying nothing of the seven-year conflict still raging in Yemen.

In a statement ahead of Wednesday’s trip, Johnson blasted Russia’s “brutal and unprovoked assault”While declaring that London is, Ukraine “building an international coalition”You can deal with “new reality”In the energy sector.

“The world must wean itself off Russian hydrocarbons and starve Putin’s addiction to oil and gas,”He added that he spoke highly of Russian president and said so about his wife. “Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are key international partners in that effort. We will work with them to ensure regional security, support the humanitarian relief effort and stabilise global energy markets for the longer term.”

The PM will first meet with Emirati Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed before heading to Saudi Arabia for a sit-down with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where he’s expected to discuss increasing Gulf energy output as the UK seeks to cut down on Russian imports.

US urges India to think twice before buying Russian oil

The visit was slammed by some lawmakers, as it comes soon after Riyadh’s largest-ever public execution, in which it killed 81 prisoners. Saudi officials stated that convicts were found guilty. “heinous crimes,”This includes ties to terrorist organizations.

US President Joe Biden is also reported to be planning to visit Saudi Arabia to talk about energy issues. The White House, however, has not confirmed his plans. Although Washington has rejected an explicit ban on Russian imports so far, Antony Blinken (Secretary of State) said that the US supports any such move. “active discussions”As long as European partners are able to maintain contact, we will be in discussions with them about this. “a steady global oil supply.”

Johnson’s trip also comes amid a bloody seven-year war on Yemen, in which a coalition of states led by Saudi Arabia – and heavily supported by the US and UK – has attempted to oust Houthi rebels from power and reinstall Yemeni President Mansour Hadi, who was elected in 2012 on a one-man ballot. According to UN estimates of nearly 400,000 civilians had died in conflict as of 2021. Most of these were children from Yemen under 5. Many people have died. “indirect” causes and deprivation, such as hunger and lack of medicine amid a blockade on Yemen’s ports, while around 40% have been killed in fighting and airstrikes. 

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