The possibility of increasing oil production in Saudi Arabia is not the central issue of relations between Washington and Riyadh, despite the current energy crisis and a sharp increase in fuel prices, said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, answering questions regarding US President Joe Biden's plans to visit Saudi Arabia soon.

“Well, when it comes to oil or gas prices, that’s something that OPEC-Plus deals. We do not get involved in any of that. That is not the conversations that we have with Saudi Arabia. And I know they — OPEC-Plus made an announcement last week, on Friday, and we welcome that announcement. But that is not a part of our agenda when we have a discussion with them," Karine Jean-Pierre noted.

At the same time, Jean-Pierre assured that Biden's upcoming visit would bring quite concrete results for both the United States and the Middle East. What they will be, the press secretary, however, did not explain. “The President said himself on Friday — I believe, yes, Friday — that the — that there was a — a visit in the works. But it was — it was — it wasn’t moved or postponed. It was — that — that reporting is actually not accurate. We were still having discussions, it was being considered, but it was never locked in. So I just want to be very clear on that," Karine Jean-Pierre added.