UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to discuss Russian invasion with UAE and Saudi leaders

From CNN’s Niamh Kennedy and Jaide Garcia 

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will discuss increasing diplomatic and economic pressure on Russia with leaders of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, according to a news release from 10 Downing Street.

Johnson’s one-day visit to Abu Dhabi and Riyadh is part of the United Kingdom’s efforts to ensure coordinated international action on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

The leaders are expected to discuss “efforts to improve energy security and reduce volatility in energy and food prices,” the news release said.

Johnson will meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed in the UAE before traveling to Riyadh to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Some context: The UK recently announced it would phase out the import of Russian oil and oil products by the end of the year. And that the government would work with companies to support them in finding alternative supplies. 

The oil market has been stretched incredibly thin, with few producers willing — or able — to replace Russian barrels banned by the United States and shunned by others.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia are major oil producing nations. The UAE recently said it wants to increase oil production and will encourage the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cartel to ramp up supply.

The Downing Street statement said Johnson is “focused on diversifying the UK’s energy supply.”

“The world must wean itself off Russian hydrocarbons and starve Putin’s addiction to oil and gas,” Johnson will say, according to the release.