Remarks by President Biden Before Marine One Departure
South Lawn
10:59 A.M. EDT
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 with — I’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 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.
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 get — based on 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 them — my team has — to ask what their plans are and to give any suggestions they have. They have over 9,000 leases — 9,000. They can drill until they’re — until (inaudible) 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 to –
Oh. (The First Lady approaches the President.)
THE FIRST LADY: (Laughs.) We got to go!
(Cross-talk by reporters.)
Q (Inaudible) two 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.
11:01 A.M. EDT