US strikes harder at Putin, banning all Russian oil imports

By ZEKE MILLER, MIKE BALSAMO and JOSH BOAK
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has announced that the U.S. will ban all Russian oil imports, toughening the toll on Russia’s economy in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine. But he also acknowledged it will bring costs to Americans, particularly at the gas pump. The action Tuesday follows pleas by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to U.S. and Western officials to cut off the imports. Biden declared in remarks at the White House that “We will not be part of subsidizing Putin’s war.” Biden said the U.S. was acting in close consultation with European allies, who are more dependent on Russian energy supplies.