WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that the U.S. will ban the importing of Russian oil, liquefied natural gas and coal, broadening the economic sanctions leveled against Moscow over its war in Ukraine.
The targeting of Russia’s most lucrative industry despite the likelihood of higher gasoline prices comes as bipartisan support in Congress has coalesced behind such restrictions and Europe has begun taking steps to reduce its imports of Russian energy products. The oil ban and other tough sanctions are being imposed by Western powers in the hopes of persuading Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt his all-out attack on the former Soviet republic.
“Russian oil will no longer be accepted at U.S. ports,” Biden said in a speech from the White House. “We will not be part of subsidizing Putin’s war.”
