US delegations in Saudi Arabia to discuss “energy file and Yemen”

SANAA, Feb. 17 (YPA) – The White House on Wednesday acknowledged the presence of US officials in Saudi Arabia following reports of Washington pressure on Riyadh to increase oil pumping in anticipation of a crisis in the event of an alleged Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“I can confirm that they have traveled, and there are a range of topics for discussion, including Yemen,” ” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a press conference.

“We are working with our partners around the world to ensure that the offer meets demand as part of our goal here as well,” she added.

Earlier, US media reports said that National Security Council Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk and the State Department’s energy envoy, Amos Hochstein, were in Riyadh on Wednesday to press the kingdom to pump more oil as fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine cause energy prices to rise,

The United States and Western countries accuse Russia of preparing a military attack on Ukraine, which Moscow has denied on several occasions, arguing that the accusations are false and a pretext for increasing nation’s military presence near its borders.

E.M