5 countries where the US is trying to change its stance on Russia

Government President Joe Biden has successfully assembled a number of Western allies to support the pressure campaign against Russia, but has struggled to convince some other allies and opponents, according to The Hill.

India

President Joe Biden held a teleconference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 11, less than two weeks after Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh arrived in New Delhi for a meeting with Indian officials.

While Mr. Biden has often called for the unity of the democracies to oppose Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, India – the world’s largest democracy – continues to import Russian oil and maintain a positive attitude. neutrality in UN votes on Ukraine.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that President Biden sought to clarify the impact of sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies on Russia in conversations with Prime Minister Modi, and at the same time stressed that the US would be willing to help India diversify sources of energy imports.

“The President also made it clear that increasing imports of Russian energy or other goods is not in India’s interest,” Psaki said.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Oil-rich Gulf states and influential members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) have rejected US calls to increase oil supplies in the global market to bring down rising oil prices. high in the context of the US and its allies punish Russia and restrictions on Russian oil and gas exports.

In particular, Saudi Arabia relies heavily on the agreement with Russia via OPEC+ on oil output and pricing, which Riyadh has included in its domestic economic plan for the future as part of an effort to diversify its economy away from dependence. depends on energy.

Russia’s war also comes amid a rupture in relations between Riyadh and Washington, due to US criticism of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s role in the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The Wall Street Journal reported last month that Crown Prince Mohammed had refused to talk to President Biden about the US ban on Russian oil imports, although the White House later called the information inaccurate.

Hussein Ibish, resident scholar at the Institute of Gulf States in Washington, dismissed the idea that Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s stance on Russia was a failure, describing it instead as “a one-time success.” part”.

“The UAE and Saudi Arabia are likely preparing to face tough choices due to pressure from Washington and the international community,” Ibish said. I think they miscalculated thinking that the war in Ukraine was a European crisis and not a global crisis. They think they’re out of this war, but that’s not true.”

Ibish added that Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are seeking additional security guarantees from the Biden administration, especially to counter attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and that if an agreement is reached, Such a deal with the US could lead Saudi Arabia to increase oil production and destroy the OPEC+ agreement with Russia.

China

The Biden administration has spent considerable time and effort preventing China from providing Russia with military equipment or financial assistance.

President Biden spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and national security adviser Jake Sullivan met China’s top diplomat Yang Khiet Tri. In all of the meetings, American officials warned Beijing against intervening in the war in Russia’s favor.

US officials said it was unclear whether China had firmly decided whether it would stay out of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. But so far, Beijing has not sent the military aid that Moscow requested.

Reuters earlier reported that China honors oil contracts with Russia, but has yet to sign new ones, a sign that Beijing seems to realize that the Western country with which it has business ties. The economy will react violently if the country acts like this.

Virtue

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made a historic change of stance when supply arms to Ukraine and stopped approving the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany.

However, as hostilities in Ukraine entered their seventh week, Germany protested against calls by the United States and other countries in Europe to cut imports of Russian oil and gas, which bring in nearly $1 billion for Russia. everyday.

Germany continues to depend on Russian gas through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, and its top officials have warned that cutting off this supply is not an option for Europe’s most populous nation. .

A US delegation of House lawmakers, led by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, will travel to Berlin this week to meet Chancellor Scholz as part of a European tour.

The Allies are aware of the difficulty of separating Europe, especially Germany, immediately from Russian energy.

Hungary

Hungary is a NATO ally, but it has been cautious in its response to Russia’s war.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán criticized the war but avoided speaking out against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As a member of the EU, Hungary takes a different stance from many in the union and has taken steps to support the Russian economy.

Last week, Prime Minister Orbán said Hungary was ready buy Russian gas in rublesa step that would help stabilize Russia’s currency at a time when many Western countries are looking to limit or completely cut off energy purchases from Russia and isolate its currency.

“Hungary is a NATO ally, and continues to be. We continue to cooperate on a wide range of bilateral and shared interests globally, including on NATO defense and humanitarian assistance. We regularly conduct joint exercises and we will continue to work to strengthen our partnership with Hungary,” White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said last week when asked if the United States was involved. with Hungary on this issue or not.