The kingdom’s statement suggests that both Saudi Arabia and Russia are prepared for a long price war — despite the howls of protest from other members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Their dispute threatens to turn the industry into a Darwinian survival of the fittest that could put both rivals and allies out of business, including U.S. shale oil producers.

“There have been no contacts between Saudi Arabia and Russia energy ministers over any increase in the number of OPEC+ countries, nor any discussion of a joint agreement to balance oil markets,” the Saudi Ministry of Energy said in the statement.

Brent crude dipped below $25 a barrel on Friday as the coronavirus pandemic threatens to wipe out a fifth of global oil demand. Crude prices have fallen more than 60% since the beginning of the year.

Despite a strong appeal by the American government to Saudi Arabia to end the price war, Riyadh has so far kept firm on its position.

Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo urged the kingdom to “rise to the occasion and reassure” energy markets at a time of economic uncertainty. He spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the eve of a conference call between the leaders of the Group of 20 on the global pandemic. Yet the meeting ended on Thursday with a communique that made no reference to oil.

Russia has been sending mixed messages. In addition to his comments about bringing more countries together to rebalance the market, Sorokin also said the current oil-market turmoil shows his country was right to propose maintaing the existing OPEC+ output cuts until June, instead of cutting deeper as the Saudis had proposed.

In an interview later on Friday with RBC TV, Sorokin said crude at $25 a barrel is “unpleasant” for Russia, but isn’t a catastrophe.