At a time of US moves to find an alternative to Russian gas and oil to supply Europe, under the US-led boycott campaign, with Russian fuel and also a possible shift in US President Joe Biden's position on Saudi Arabia.

This comes as a US official stressed that his country regards Saudi Arabia as an important strategic partner and aims to "recalibrate" relations with it during President Joe Biden's visit to the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia announced on Tuesday that U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Riyadh at the invitation of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz on July 15 and 16.

A statement by the Royal Court carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said: "At the generous invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and in furtherance of the historic bilateral relations and distinct strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United States, President Joe Biden of the United States will make an official visit to Saudi Arabia on 16 and 17 Dhu Hajjah 1443H approving 15 and 16 July 2022."

"During the visit, Biden meets King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, to discuss cooperation between the two friendly countries and to discuss ways to address the challenges facing the region and the world."

The second day of the visit also includes the attendance of the President of the United States at a joint summit convened by the King of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq on July 16, 2022.