The Russian conflict in Ukraine has shifted international relations in many different ways. For one, it has seen Europe address the possibility of no longer importing gas from Russia. This would be a way for the region to oppose Russia without feeling the effect of a retaliation from President Vladimir Putin in the form of an increase in oil prices, or a complete withhold of oil. Many European countries, most notably the United Kingdom, want to stop importing Russian energy entirely as a form of opposition to the invasion. Before the war, the U.K. imported around 8% of its oil from Russia, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Government has pledged to phase out Russian oil entirely by the end of this year. Instead, Johnson has visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia looking to increase U.K. imports of Saudi gas, much to the surprise of many.

Johnson has faced criticism for meeting with Saudi Arabia, as just a few days before their meeting, the Saudi leadership executed 81 people; over half of whom were Saudi Shiites who had taken part in anti-government protests. This was the country’s largest mass execution in decades and many of the trials for these men had failed to meet due process guarantees. Whilst Johnson had committed to bringing up Saudi human rights issues to the Saudi delegates prior to the meeting, this means little when the U.K. is actively willing to buy its oil, regardless of whether or not these issues improve. Saudi Arabia reportedly have the capacity to increase their oil exports to make up the difference in the U.K., however are unwilling to do so, as it seems that they have also been benefitting from the recent increase in oil price. As Johnson’s recent energy plan for the U.K. is likely not to sufficiently deal with the crisis on its own, any immediate removal of Russian energy could see the UK soon attempting to outbid Asia and the European Union for Saudi oil.

The U.K.’s Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, responded to those that were not happy with the meeting, saying that as we are in “a time of a major global energy crisis… it is right for the Prime Minister and other world leaders to engage with Saudi Arabia. ” He highlighted the fact that it is “important to recognize, that whether we like it or not… Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s largest oil producers.” U.S. President Joe Biden warned of the increase of fuel, stating that “defending freedom is going to cost.” Whilst this may be the case, defending the freedom of the Ukrainian people whilst simultaneously condoning the oppression in Saudi Arabia is nothing short of hypocritical.

In a Machiavellian sense, it may make sense for the U.K. to make this decision. As energy prices have gone up considerably since the sanctions on Russia began, this would allow the UK to continue to oppose Russia by not buying their oil indefinitely. As Russia is more of a threat to the UK than Saudi Arabia is, it is the lesser of two evils. In many ways however, Saudi Arabia is no better than Russia. In fact, Saudi Arabia consistently restricts more of the freedoms of its citizens than Russia does. The 2022 Human Freedom Index put Saudi Arabia as the 11^th “least free” country in the world. Many feel that the only reason that the war in Ukraine has triggered such a strong response from Europe and the West, is because it is taking place much closer to them than any Saudi-led infringement of human rights.

This potential new deal between the U.K. and Saudi Arabia wouldn’t be the only deal that the two countries have together. For years, the U.K. have been selling arms to Saudi Arabia, which have been estimated to be worth around £20 billion. These have helped a Saudi based coalition kill over 150,000 people in Yemen; far more people than the current recorded number of at least 15,000 in Ukraine.

The criticism of Johnson’s Government’s actions in Saudi Arabia is justified. It is hypocritical of the U.K. to ban imports of oil from an authoritarian state because of its war with a smaller nation and instead, turn to a different authoritarian state at war with a smaller nation. Opposing authoritarianism and imperialism is admirable. What isn’t, is picking and choosing which examples of both to oppose when it suits you. This being exactly what Johnson has done by meeting with Saudi Arabia.