A White House spokesperson is in denial that US President Joe Biden is set to tour Saudi Arabia, to ask the kingdom to bolster oil production.
Nonetheless, Axios, a US political news outlet, is reporting that the trip would take place in the spring, as the White House scrambles to address a global energy crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
US and Venezuelan officials have also reportedly discussed easing oil sanctions. A number of US lawmakers have suggested Venezuelan oil could help replace Russian oil, according to the New York Times.
The US currently relies on Russia for 10% of its imports of crude oil and petroleum products.
On Sunday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement that US lawmakers were “exploring strong legislation” to isolate Russia, including a total ban on Russian oil and energy products to the US.
Biden last year scrapped Keystone XL, a Canada-to-US oil pipeline, citing climate change.