Sign in Subscribe
Prime ministers

Boris Johnson's Saudi Arabia Visit: A Bid to Secure Energy Investment Amid Ukraine Crisis

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in Saudi Arabia as part of a visit aimed at securing a significant investment in British renewable energy and convincing the desert kingdom to increase oil production to tackle market volatility prompted by the Russia-Ukraine war. However, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has accused Johnson of going "begging from one authoritarian leader to another," arguing that the UK should have had a balanced energy strategy years ago. Johnson's trip to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates comes as the UK phases out Russian oil imports by the end of the year.

Key Takeaways:

  • Boris Johnson's visit to Saudi Arabia is focused on securing a significant investment in British renewable energy and convincing the kingdom to increase oil production.
  • The UK has announced plans to phase out Russian oil imports by the end of the year, with a focus on reducing reliance on imported oil and gas.
  • Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has accused Johnson of going "begging from one authoritarian leader to another," arguing that the UK should have had a balanced energy strategy years ago.
  • Saudi Arabia has been reluctant to pump more oil during the Ukraine crisis, with one government insider describing the investment being sought as a "big number".
  • The UAE has already pledged to invest £10 billion in UK clean energy, technology, and infrastructure.
  • Johnson's visit has been overshadowed by the execution of 81 people on terrorism-related charges on March 13.
  • Starmer has argued that human rights issues in Saudi Arabia are a "real cause for concern" and that a Labour government would not supply arms for use by the Saudis in their war in Yemen.
  • Johnson will raise human rights issues on his visit, with one colleague saying that the prime minister "lives in the real world where we must turn to allies around the world to help us confront Putin."

Statistics:

  • The UK will phase out Russian oil imports by the end of the year.
  • The UAE has pledged to invest £10 billion in UK clean energy, technology, and infrastructure.
  • Saudi Arabia is the world's top crude exporter.
  • 81 people were executed in Saudi Arabia on March 13 on terrorism-related charges.

Sources:

  • [Boris Johnson's visit to Saudi Arabia] (https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-59980583)
  • [Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's comments] (https://twitter.com/KeirStarmer/status/1535573916904101123)
  • [UAE's £10 billion investment in UK clean energy] (https://www.investmenthighway.com/2022/03/09/uae-announces-10-billion-investment-in-uk-clean-energy-technology-and-infrastructure/)
  • [Saudi Arabia's oil production] (https://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/publications/420.htm)

Read more