After the OPEC + decision to reduce production, an American senator calls for a freeze on cooperation with Saudi Arabia

An American senator called on the United States to freeze cooperation with Saudi Arabia, especially in the field of arms sales, against the background of the announcement by the "OPEC +" group that it leads, to reduce oil production, coinciding with the global energy crisis as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called on Monday for a freeze on cooperation with Saudi Arabia, including most arms sales, and accused the kingdom of helping fund Russia's war on Ukraine after the OPEC+ group announced last week that it would cut oil production. .

The Saudi-led "OPEC +" group agreed to cut production by nearly two percent of global supplies, reducing production in a market facing critical conditions and raising the possibility of higher fuel prices as Washington seeks to limit Russian energy revenues after its military attack on Ukraine.

The White House said US President Joe Biden criticized the move as "short-sighted", at a time when the world is dealing with the effects of the war in Ukraine.

"The United States must immediately freeze all aspects of our cooperation with Saudi Arabia, including any arms sales and security cooperation beyond what is absolutely necessary to defend U.S. personnel and interests," Menendez said in a statement.

"And as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I will not give the green light to any cooperation with Riyadh until the kingdom reassess its position regarding the war in Ukraine. enough is enough," he added.

On Friday, oil prices jumped to their highest level in five weeks, two days after “OPEC +” cut its production, before falling back on Monday amid fears of a possible global recession.

Commenting on the OPEC + decision, Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman said last Wednesday, "First and foremost, we are concerned with the interests of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, then the interests of the countries that trusted us and were and still are members of OPEC and the OPEC + grouping."

He added that OPEC takes care of its interests, "and the interests of the world because we have an interest in supporting the development of the global economy and providing energy in an optimal way."

And the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel al-Jubeir, said in statements to Fox News Channel last Friday, when asked about the American criticism, by saying, "Saudi Arabia does not politicize oil or oil-related decisions."

"With all due respect, the reason for the high prices in the United States is the lack of refining that has been going on for more than 20 years," he added.

High oil prices represent a weakness for the Democrats in the US mid-term elections on November 8, in which they will seek to maintain their control of Congress.

Leaders of the US Senate Foreign Relations and Foreign Affairs Committees review major international arms deals, which are not generally approved without their consent.