White House faces oil standoff with Saudi Arabia and UAE as prices soar

Analysis: Disputes with Biden administration mean Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are likely to drive hard bargain

Joe Biden's hardline stance on Russia has won him widespread plaudits, but with the most serious oil shock in decades now a reality, the US president's attempt to cushion the blowback continues to meet resistance from the two allies he needs most.

Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Mohammed bin Salman, and his counterpart in the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed, are yet to agree to a phone call with the west's most powerful man - a scenario all but unthinkable during previous administrations.