Boris Johnson visits Saudi Arabia to talk energy and security

Boris Johnson will meet leaders in Saudi Arabia later as he tries to build an “international coalition” against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The prime minister will discuss how to secure the region’s energy supply, saying the world needs to “wean itself” off Russian oil and gas.

But Johnson faced criticism for making the trip because of the Saudi government’s human rights record.

On Saturday they carried out a mass execution of 81 men in one day.

Several parliamentarians asked the prime minister to cancel his visit.

But Johnson said that if the West was to “avoid being blackmailed” by Russian President Vladimir Putin, it needed to stop using its country’s hydrocarbons and explore other partnerships.

Shadow Climate and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband said it was “a sign of our vulnerability and energy insecurity as a country” that the prime minister “felt the need to go to Saudi Arabia” despite human rights concerns.

He added: “Once again it shows that the best solution to the energy crisis we face is a green energy sprint at home, so let’s once and for all end our dependence on fossil fuels.”

Johnson is due to arrive in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday morning.

He will first meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi, before traveling to the Saudi capital Riyadh to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The No. 10 said discussions would focus on “efforts to improve energy security and reduce volatility in energy and food prices,” including the possibility of agreeing increased oil supplies from the country to the UK.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the prime minister said: “The brutal and unprovoked attack that President Putin has unleashed on Ukraine will have far-reaching consequences for the world, far beyond the borders of Europe.

“The UK is building an international coalition to deal with the new reality we face. The world must put aside Russian hydrocarbons and end Putin’s addiction to oil and gas.”

“Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are key international partners in that effort. We will work with them to ensure regional security, support the humanitarian relief effort and stabilize global energy markets for the long term.”

Downing Street said Johnson would also discuss “shared strategic priorities with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia,” including the situation in Iran and Yemen, trade and human rights.

Opposition parties and some conservatives are also concerned about the government’s association with Saudi Arabia, and have been for years.

That is more acute after dozens of executions there a few days ago.

Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said going from dictator to dictator, cap in hand, was no substitute for an energy strategy.

But for the government, managing the fallout from the conflict in Ukraine means what are described as “reckless” decisions, even if it is “unpleasant”.

With huge diplomatic and economic forces at stake, there are no easy options.

Separating Russia’s economy from that of the West may seem like a diplomatic no-brainer, but the cost and complications of doing so simply cannot be ignored.

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