We are the gorilla in the room as far as oil prices. The Saudis are trying to prevent us from becoming energy independent. Low prices are there to slow that down. Russia has no say in the matter. In fact Russia is propping up Assad who the Saudis want out. Russia is not going to change the Saudis’ plan.
No doubt that the Saudis oppose our energy independence.
But that wouldn’t amount to a hill of beans if we didn’t have the EPA and tree huggers within the country mounting protests.
I think we need to kick the ME reliance to the curb. Sure, buy their oil if it is cheap. But there is no reason to rely on them for our economic welfare. I will now return my soap box to the closet. :)