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The United States (US) has begun G20 energy meetings in Houston, promoting “energy abundance” while the Iran war continues to disrupt global fuel markets.
The discussions, running from Monday through Wednesday, have brought delegations from major economies, including China, India, Japan, and Germany, to Texas.
Major oil producers, including Canada and Saudi Arabia, are also attending, while Russia is expected to send officials.
Russian diplomats indicated on Saturday that Moscow would participate, after Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov attended a previous G20 meeting two weeks ago.
Ukraine’s European allies criticised Washington’s decision to invite Russia, which they said weakens efforts to isolate Moscow over its war in Ukraine.
The Houston meetings come as oil and gas prices have surged because of the conflict in the Middle East.
Europe is also struggling to fill its gas storage facilities before the winter.
Expanding access to affordable, reliable and secure energy is one of Washington’s key priorities during its G20 presidency.
However, global energy supplies have been heavily affected since the United States and Israel attacked Iran in February.
In the US, diesel prices have reached a record average of $6.20 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association.
Regular gasoline is also 44 per cent more expensive than before the war.
Rising fuel costs and the unpopular conflict have added pressure on President Donald Trump and his Republican Party before the November midterm elections.
Trump has accused Iran of prolonging the conflict to hurt him politically and recently claimed the war would end “immediately” after the election.
He has also criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over strikes on Russian refineries, blaming them for contributing to diesel shortages.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum are expected to attend the Houston meetings.
