British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday visited the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, oil exporters and partners in the OPEC + bloc, in order to secure global oil supplies and reduce prices, as well as increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin due to his military operation in Ukraine.
However, Johnson failed to obtain commitments from Abu Dhabi and Riyadh to increase their oil production due to their strong relations with Moscow and Putin and their great interest in raising international oil prices to support their budget, according to a report published by France Press Agency (AFP).
British Endeavors to Contain Oil Price Surge
On a visit aimed at securing oil supplies and increasing pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin who is waging war on Ukraine, Johnson held talks on energy security on Wednesday with the rulers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, without success in obtaining public pledges to increase oil production after the surge in world energy prices.
The British Prime Minister's office said it stressed the need for cooperation to stabilize global energy markets in talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
After his meeting in Riyadh with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a journalist asked Johnson if the kingdom would increase oil production. He said, "I think you need to talk to the Saudis about that. But I think there is an understanding of the need to ensure the stability of global oil and gas markets."
"The world should distance itself from Russian oil and gas supplies... Saudi Arabia and the UAE are important global partners in this effort," Johnson said before his meetings.
The two Gulf countries are members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and have surplus oil production capacity and can increase production and compensate for the loss of supplies from Russia, the Paris-based agency report stated.
"But they are trying to maintain a neutral position between Western allies and Moscow, their partner in the OPEC+ cartel that includes OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers."
The UAE has deepened its ties with Moscow and Beijing in the past few years, abstaining last month from voting on a US-drafted resolution at the United Nations Security Council condemning 'Russia's special military operation.'
Johnson and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi also agreed on the importance of strengthening cooperation in the fields of security, defense and intelligence to confront threats including the Houthis, who are engaged in a protracted conflict in Yemen with Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The official Saudi Press Agency reported that Johnson and Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the conflict in Ukraine and other international issues, adding that Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a strategic partnership.
New Era of Russia-Gulf Relations
The West fears dire economic consequences if international sanctions against Russia extend to the oil sector unless there is a guarantee from the oil countries to fill the deficit that may result from those sanctions, as the sanctions are expected to cut off 7 percent of global oil supplies, according to the Wall Street Journal.
According to the American newspaper, the current situation in the ongoing war is the first geopolitical test of the alliance between Riyadh and Moscow, the alliance that began in 2016, when Russia and 12 other countries signed a treaty with “OPEC” to regulate oil production, in addition to mutual official visits at the highest level between the two countries. The two sides not to mention the huge Russian arms purchases.
Trade between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has jumped from about $3 billion in 2016, to more than $5 billion in 2021, the majority with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, according to official statistics.
As a major player in energy markets, all the GCC countries maintain a relationship with Russia in the field of energy, while Riyadh and Moscow have for years led the "OPEC+ alliance, where they jointly control production to stabilize the price market.
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