Sanctions against Russia have caused havoc on global energy markets. Western capitals panicked about how to contain the price of oil as it soared to nearly $140 a barrel, and how to cut off supplies from Russia.

The United States and Great Britain, which announced a ban on the purchase of Russian oil, were quick to convince their traditional allies to turn on the taps and lower world oil prices, Foreign Policy reported.

However, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the two largest oil producers, did not go for it, seeing an opportunity for themselves in the crisis. The message to the United States and the West was generally unmistakable: the Saudis have too much leverage to be taken for granted in geopolitics or to be seen as the target of constant criticism for violating human rights.

The Saudis hold the key to the oil wells and expect big concessions from the United States before turning on their taps and changing their pro-Russian oil policy. Activists fear that human rights will once again be sacrificed for energy security. Neither the United States nor Britain publicly criticized the mass execution of 81 people in Saudi Arabia in mid-March. Western policy toward Saudi Arabia has largely been one of appeasement to ease the pressure on consumers' wallets.

The Saudis and Emiratis have the ability to produce more than 3 million barrels a day, and they could lower oil prices even if they freed up some. Moreover, since Russia exports about 5 million barrels per day and nearly 80 percent to Europe, assurances of support from Riyadh and Abu Dhabi could go a long way to assuage European concerns and encourage them to reduce their dependence on Russia.