Iran Press/ America: US President Joe Biden announced a ban on Russian oil and other energy imports on Tuesday in response to the Russian operation in Ukraine, underscoring strong bipartisan support for a move that he acknowledged would drive up US energy prices.
"We're banning all imports of Russian oil and gas energy," Biden told reporters at the White House. "That means Russian oil will no longer be acceptable in US ports and the American people will deal another powerful blow to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's war machine."
Oil prices jumped on the news, with Benchmark Brent crude LCOc1 for May climbing by 5.4% to $129.91 a barrel by 1345 GMT.
Biden has been working with allies in Europe, who are far more dependent on Russian oil, in a bid to isolate Russia's energy-heavy economy and Putin. Britain announced shortly before Biden's remarks that it would phase out the import of Russian oil and gas by the end of 2022.
Biden claimed sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies had already caused the Russian economy to "crater". He said the latest moves had been made in close consultation with allies and partners around the world.
Russia says it will halt the "special military operation" in Ukraine instantly if Ukraine meets its list of conditions, as the deadly conflict is still underway for the twelfth day.
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