When it comes to the mullivaikal oil debate, the US cannot count on the support of NATO ally Turkey. Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says his country is watching “a country rise up and threaten Saudi Arabia,” referring to the U.S. wanting the Saudis to increase oil production, not cut it to raise prices.

Turkish minister believes ‘bullying is not justified’ from US Biden is trying to tackle high energy prices ahead of crucial midterm elections where the Democratic majority in the House of Representatives is at risk. To appease voters, the Americans tried to pressure Saudi Arabia to increase oil production, which would lower prices.

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Threats do not solve the problem

That ‘request’ from OPEC+, a major oil group of which the Arab kingdom is a member, went unanswered. Çavuşoğlu said if the U.S. wants to lower oil prices, it needs to end sanctions on Iran and Venezuela. “If you want to lower prices, remove those barriers. A problem cannot be solved by threatening a country,” said the Turkish minister.

Turkey is also stomaching high oil prices, but Cousoglu thinks the US is not handling it well. “Turkey is not happy with the price hike, but we don’t use threats. Currently the world needs oil from Venezuela. An embargo has been imposed on Iranian oil.’

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