Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2022

June 17, 2022

The President's Scheduled Travel to Saudi Arabia

Q. Mr. President, have you made a decision about how you will handle the Khashoggi killing when you go to Saudi Arabia?

The President. The same way I've been handling it. I'm not going to meet withâI'm not going to meet with MBS; I'm going to an international meeting. And he's going to be a part of it, just like there were people part of the discussion today.

Q. Sirâ[inaudible]ââ

Ukraine

Q. Mr. President, how concerned are you about the three Americans who are reportedly missing in Ukraine? Have you been briefed?

The President. I have been briefed. We don't know where they are.

But I want to reiterate: Americans should not be going to Ukraine now. I'll say it again: Americans should not be going to Ukraine now. They should not be going to Ukraine.

Oil and Gasoline Prices

Q. What will the consequences be for oil companies if they don't boost supplies?

The President. Well, look, one of the things that has happened is that the price of gasoline exceeds the price based on the barrel of oil costs right now. So if you just take what a barrel of oil costs on average, it should not be this high. They're making exorbitant profits, number one.

Number two, I've contacted themâmy team hasâto ask what their plans are and to give any suggestions they have. They have over 9,000 leasesâ9,000. They can drill until they'reâuntil hell won't have it. But they're not doing it, number two.

Number three, I think we're going to be in a position where we're going toâohââ [*At this point, the First Lady approached the President.*]

The First Lady. We've got to go! [Laughter] [Several reporters spoke at once.]

Q. Mr. President, do you still consider MBS a rogue ally?

India

Q. [Inaudible]â2 billion people in India are waiting for you to visit India.

The President. I've been to India twice, and I'll be back to India. And my relations are very good. Thank you.

NOTE: The President spoke at 10:59 a.m. on the South Lawn prior to boarding Marine One. In his remarks, he referred to Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia; and Tuscaloosa, AL, resident Alexander Druek, Hartselle, AL, resident Andy Tai Huynh,

and Wilmington, NC, resident Grady Kurpasi, U.S. citizens and former military personnel, who have been reported by their families as missing after having traveled to Ukraine.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: White House. Locations: Washington, DC.

Names: Biden, Jill T.; Druek, Alexander; Huynh, Andy Tai; Kurpasi, Grady; Muhammad bin Salman bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, Crown Prince.

Subjects: Communications : News media :: Presidential interviews; Energy : Gasoline, oil, and natural gas costs; Energy : Oil and gas industry :: Federal regulations and oversight; India : Relations with U.S.; Russia : Ukraine, airstrikes and invasion; Saudi Arabia : Crown Prince; Ukraine : Russian airstrikes and invasion.

DCPD Number: DCPD202200534.