Russia-Ukraine war: Seven ways the invasion will affect the Middle East

Many Middle Eastern countries, which have relationships with the US, Russia and Ukraine, may reluctantly be forced to pick a side as the conflict escalates.

From oil prices to sanctions, wheat imports to tourism, Middle East Eye has broken down how the Russian invasion of Ukraine will affect the Middle East.

Oil prices jumped to more than $105 per barrel on Thursday, shaking Middle Eastern markets as the Russian invasion imperilled the energy supply to western Europe.

Saudi Arabia, the world's top exporter of crude oil, and Qatar, one of the leading liquified natural gas (LNG) exporters, have seen high demand for their energy supplies as tensions escalate in eastern Europe.

Officials in the US and Europe had hoped that Qatar could redirect some gas exports to Europe to ease energy strains. Others have urged Saudi Arabia to pump crude oil faster and increase its production capacity.

But Qatar's energy minister, Saad al-Kaabi, has warned that no country can replace Russian gas supplies to Europe with LNG.

Russia-Ukraine war: Seven ways the invasion will affect the Middle East