Putin, Trump Agree Sinking Oil Prices Not In Mutual Interest
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump agreed in a phone call on the 30th March that “current oil prices aren’t in the interests of our countries,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, declining to give any details on what the two might do to change the situation.
Mr Trump called Mr Putin and the two had a lengthy and “constructive” conversation, Mr Peskov said. The leaders agreed that their energy ministers should begin consultations on the oil market, but he would not say when those contacts might begin.
With crude prices at the lowest levels in nearly two decades, Russian officials continue to say publicly that the situation is “very unpleasant” but not a catastrophe. So far, the Kremlin has shown no sign of willingness to patch up relations with Saudi Arabia following the breakdown of its production agreement with the Saudi-led Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
Mr Peskov declined to comment on whether Mr Putin and Mr Trump discussed Saudi Arabia on the call or if the Gulf kingdom might be involved in any market consultations.
Mr Trump said before the call that he did not want to see the US energy sector “wiped out” after Russia and Saudi Arabia “both went crazy” and launched into a conflict which depressed oil prices.
Source: Rigzone