Biden Announces Ban on Russian Oil Imports

On Tuesday, President Biden announced that the United States is banning all imports of Russian oil, gas, and energy in an effort to target the Russian economy’s “main artery” during Putin’s attack on Ukraine.

In the President’s speech at the White House Tuesday, he says that the Ban against Russia “has strong bipartisan support in Congress and, I believe the country.”

Though it is solidary against Russia’s merciless attacks against the Ukrainian people, both armed citizens and civilians alike, Biden warns Americans that this ban will cost Americans as gas prices rise. Americans are seeing the highest gas prices since 2008, with the national gas price averaging more than $4 per gallon.

“Americans have rallied to support the Ukrainian people and made it clear we will not be part of subsidizing Putin’s war,” Biden said.

“Putin’s war is already hurting American families at the gas pump since Putin began his military buildup on Ukrainian borders,” President Biden continues. “And with this action, it’s going to go up further. I’m going to do everything I can to minimize Putin’s price hike here at home and coordinate with our partners.”

The President also warns that not all of Europe will be on board with taking the same stance against Russia. Since America is a “net exporter of energy,” as Biden put it, we are not fully dependent on Russia for energy and oil exports.

Administration officials tell Fox News that even though Russia is the third-largest oil producer in the world, the impact on American oil imports would be minimal compared to other allies.

“The United States produces far more oil domestically than all of Europe and all the European countries combined,” the President adds to his speech. “So, we can take this step when others cannot, but we are working closely with Europe and our partners to develop a long-term strategy to reduce their dependence on Russian energy as well.”

This announcement comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asks the U.S. and European countries to boycott Russian oil imports on Monday through a Zoom conference. The United States has quickly taken action, demonstrating our stand with President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people.