U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Monday called for the United States to “immediately freeze” all cooperation with Saudi Arabia after Russia’s air strikes in Ukraine.
Menendez cited the kingdom’s decision with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC+, cartel to cut oil output by 2 million barrels per day as supporting President Vladimir Putin in the Russia-Ukraine war.
OPEC+ includes a group of significant oil-producing countries, including Saudi Arabia and Russia.
“The United States must immediately freeze all aspects of our cooperation with Saudi Arabia, including any arms sales and security cooperation beyond what is absolutely necessary to defend U.S. personnel and interests,” Menendez said in a statement….