UAE supports US effort to increase OPEC+ oil production: Blinken
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The US is seeking support from the UAE and Venezuela to help it overcome the debacle it put itself in by sanctioning Russia.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan speak at a joint news conference at the State Department in Washington (Reuters)
The United Arab Emirates will be supporting the United States' efforts to persuade OPEC+ member states to increase their oil production, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday, amid surging energy cuts after the US sanctioned Russia and cut off its energy imports into the US, heavily impacting oil prices worldwide.
"I think there was just an announcement a short while ago - I'm not sure if it's been made publicly yet - about Emirati support for increased production when it comes to OPEC plus," Blinken added.
Ambassador Al Otaiba: “The #UAE has been a reliable and responsible supplier of energy to global markets for more than 50 years and believes that stability in energy markets is critical to the global economy.” #OPEC
— UAE Embassy US (@UAEEmbassyUS) March 9, 2022
Read the full statement: https://t.co/xlI5pcqhek
The top diplomat asserted that he thought it was important to stabilize energy markets to make sure there remained an abundant supply of energy around the world.
Washington eyeing Venezuela
Washington has "a set of interests" with regard to Venezuela, which so happen to include the country's oil supplies and the "democratic aspirations" of the Venezuelan people.
"We have a set of interests with Venezuela. They include, of course, supporting the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people. They include securing the release of Americans who were unjustly detained there," Blinken said during a joint press conference with UK Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss.
"It's also true that we have an interest globally in maintaining a steady supply of energy, including through our diplomatic efforts," Blinken added in light of the US economy taking a blow due to its actions against Russia.
Polish proposal on fighter jets is complex
According to Blinken, Poland's proposal to send MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine was associated with certain complexities.
Warsaw had said it was ready to send its MiG-29 fighters to the US and deliver them to Ramstein.
Russia will suffer strategic defeat in Ukraine
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken claimed he was sure Russia would suffer a strategic defeat in Ukraine despite making possible tactical gains, in a reiteration of President Joe Biden's words about the same topic.
"When the history of this war is written, Putin's war on Ukraine will have left Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger," Biden vowed Tuesday.
"Ultimately, I'm absolutely convinced that Putin will fail and Russia will suffer a strategic defeat no matter what short-term tactical gains it may make in Ukraine," Blinken claimed.
