Biden promises ‘consequences’ for Saudi Arabia after oil production cuts


However, with the latest barrage of Russian missiles across Ukraine, outrage in Washington directed at Riyadh has only grown in recent days. Mr. Biden’s decision to review the relationship came a day after Senator Bob Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, called for an immediate freeze on “all aspects of our cooperation with the government.” ‘Saudi Arabia’, promising to use its power to block future arms sales.

Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the second Democrat in the Senate, said Tuesday that Saudi Arabia clearly wants Russia to win the war in Ukraine. “Let’s be very frank about it,” he said on CNN. “It’s Putin and Saudi Arabia versus the United States.”

Two other Democrats, Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Rep. Ro Khanna of California, announced on Tuesday they would introduce legislation curtailing arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

Mr Blumenthal said Mr Biden should act. “I would more than reevaluate. I would act immediately,” he said in an interview. “He was misled and doubled over, and I don’t think he should or will take it lightly.”


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John F. Kirby, the strategic communications coordinator for the National Security Council, said the president was open to discussing next steps with members of Congress. “Certainly in light of recent developments and the OPEC Plus decision regarding oil production, the President believes that we should review the bilateral relationship with Saudi Arabia and see if that relationship is where it needs to be and if it serves our national security interests,” he told reporters.

Still, it was unclear how far Mr. Biden was prepared to go, or whether he was using the public comments as a warning to Saudi Arabia or as an effort to placate domestic critics who have blamed him for be indulgent towards the kingdom. No special team of assistants was created to carry out a formal review; no deadline has been set for a conclusion; and no options were mentioned for consideration.

Moreover, the White House has yet to do anything to consult with Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill. Congressional officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe internal deliberations, said Sen. Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat and Majority Leader, was “seriously” considering proposing legislation to punish the Saudis for authorizing prosecution for price fixing. But they said congressional Democrats were seeking more advice from the White House on its preferences.