Saudi, UAE leaders decline President Biden’s calls, claims US daily

Washington: – Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are displeased with President Biden’s policies regarding the Middle East. The supreme leaders in both these Arab countries are not answering calls from President Biden. The US daily ‘The Washington Times’ reported that while President Biden wishes to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war, the Saudi and UAE leaders avoid talking to President Biden. Before Russia attacked Ukraine, the Biden administration contacted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The international crude oil rates can sky-rocket due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Biden administration is demanding that Saudi and UAE, in collaboration with the other OPEC members, should increase crude oil production to control the prices.

An official from the Biden administration told the US daily, ‘It was expected that Saudi Crown Prince Salman would respond to the call made by President Biden. But this did not happen.’ The daily said that even UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan did not respond to President Biden’s calls. The daily pointed out that the Middle East allies of the United States not responding to the US President’s calls is a matter of grave concern.

Moreover, after drawing a blank with Saudi and UAE, the Biden administration opened a dialogue with Venezuela to establish diplomatic relations. Venezuela responded positively by releasing two US citizens. But the daily has raised questions whether Venezuela will increase crude oil production like Saudi and UAE and will this impact the rising oil prices? The daily claimed that the policies of the Biden administration regarding the Middle East are responsible for this tension between the United States and its Arab allies.

Furthermore, Saudi and UAE are extremely upset given the negotiations started by the United States for the Iran nuclear deal, removal of Houthi rebels from the list of terrorist organisations and stopping of weapons supply, citing human rights as the reason. Hence, the leaders in Saudi and UAE, upset with the US policies, are avoiding calls made by President Biden and holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, cited the daily.

Meanwhile, lawmakers and military analysts have criticised many times in the past that the United States is losing its allies given the policies of President Biden.