Macron makes surprise Riyadh visit and secures Gulf fuel supplies
One Turn followed this story across 3 editions, from Kuwait City, Kuwait on October 19, 2026. Newest first.
Macron is on a Gulf tour including Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain. He is the first Western leader to visit Saudi Arabia since Houthi attacks on the kingdom intensified this month.
Macron made an unannounced stop in Riyadh to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which his office called a show of solidarity against Houthi attacks, and secured extra diesel supplies. He earlier concluded a state visit to Qatar with a gas deal, as he seeks to ease fuel costs behind protests at home.
Why it matters: Additional Gulf fuel supplies could ease diesel shortages and prices in France.
President Emmanuel Macron secured an additional 200,000 tonnes of diesel a month from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, the French presidency said, raising France's commitments to 295,000 tonnes monthly, just over 10% of consumption. He began a state visit to Qatar, where the two countries signed a security cooperation plan. Rights groups urged him to raise human rights concerns in Bahrain.
Why it matters: The supply deals are aimed at easing French fuel prices that helped trigger the nationwide protests.
Emmanuel Macron arrived in Kuwait at the start of a three-day tour that will also take him to the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar. The Élysée said he would seek commitments for additional diesel and petrol deliveries to ease prices in France.
Why it matters: European governments are scrambling for fuel as the Iran war disrupts Gulf supply routes.