Saudi Arabia and Russia allies are concerned by Prince Mohammed’s plan to deepen ties with the President Vladimir Putin.
Putin, the embattled President of Russia, and Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, appear to have a lot in common after they both started wars in neighbouring countries.
They have held significant sway over energy markets, are known to brook no dissent and to covet spots in history.
The relationship between Riyadh and Moscow is at an all-time high, some eight months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
While much of Europe, the US, and the UK step up their efforts to fend off a Russian leader who is growing more frightening by the day, Prince Mohammed has opted to strengthen connections.
The next milestone in a developing partnership that is increasingly contradicting the demands of Riyadh’s friends and seems to soothe Putin at a pivotal point in the war is an Opec+ meeting on Wednesday in Vienna.
Both nations will probably try to increase oil prices by reducing the world supply by 1-2 million barrels per day.
Following the war’s broad disruption of Europe’s gas supply and forecasts of an escalating energy security issue as the northern winter draws near, such a move would be made.
Additionally, it would alienate Washington, a partner that has attempted to persuade Riyadh to join the cause of lowering supply pressures by opening valves to its vast reservoirs.
Instead, as the severity of the supply issue became clear during the summer, Joe Biden found himself facing off against a partner in the Middle East that he had personally visited.
Biden left empty-handed and now has to consider the unsettling idea of bringing high bowser prices to the midterm elections.
The spike in oil prices may be more significant for the US president because it may be thought that they are contributing to Putin’s military campaign.
“Previous Saudi administrations would have been much more sensitive to the US’s feelings and to messaging, even though they would likely do the same thing,” said Robin Mills, the Chief Executive of Qamar Energy.
“Saudi has pretty much always done what it wanted in oil regardless of favours to the US but it usually sugar-coated it. Not this time.” he added.
Prince Mohammed has developed an admiration for the figure he once studied. His repression of opposition bears striking similarities to that of the Russian leader, as does the emerging Saudi police state, which is based on Arab nationalist principles and guaranteed by suppressing dissent, enlisting the aid of oligarchs, and solidifying a base of power.
Since Biden’s administration spearheaded the effort to arm the Ukrainian military and compelled the Russian army into a string of humiliating retreats, the two men have become even more aligned. The effort to exclude Prince Mohammed, who had enjoyed seeing a US leader arrive in Riyadh with cap in hand and depart empty-handed, was also spearheaded by Biden.