A top US Senator has called for a “freeze” in relations with Saudi Arabia after the country pushed for an OPEC+ to cut oil production last week.
In a statement, Chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Menendez said, “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 US personnel and interests. I will not green-light any cooperation with Riyadh until the Kingdom reassesses its position with respect to the war in Ukraine. Enough is enough.”
Chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Menendez
Patriot missile systems provided to Saudi Arabia by the United States
Following the statement from Menendez, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby said, “I think the President’s been very clear that this is a relationship that we need to continue to reevaluate, that we need to be willing to revisit. And certainly in light of the OPEC decision, I think that’s where he is, and he’s willing to work with Congress to think through what that relationship ought to look like going forward.”
The developments come as Saudi Arabia relies heavily on US weapons systems. Earlier this year, President Biden authorized a large arms sale to Saudi Arabia that included $3 billion for Patriot missiles for Saudi Arabia.
