President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced an embargo on U.S. imports of Russian oil and gas, to increase sanctions imposed on Russia and “deal another blow” to President Vladimir Putin.
This decision was made “in close coordination” with U.S. allies, he said. “We will not contribute to subsidizing Putin’s war.”
For the time being, Europe refuses to impose an embargo on these Russian imports, which cover 40% of its natural gas and 30% oil needs.
The United States is a net exporter of energy, meaning it produces more oil and gas than it consumes, Joe Biden recalled.
“We can make this decision, while others can’t,” he explained. “But we are working closely with Europe and our partners to put in place a long-term strategy to reduce their dependence on Russian energy.”
Read: Mexico will apply sanctions to Russia only if they are approved by the UN Council: Ebrard
“We remain united in our intention to maintain increasing pressure on Putin and his war machine,” the US head of state added.
Russian oil accounts for only 8% of U.S. imports and 4% of consumption of petroleum products in the United States, which does not import Russian gas.
Ukraine ‘will never be a victory for Putin’: Biden
Biden further claimed that Russia will never be able to control all of Ukraine.
“Russia can continue to move forward at a horrible price, but this is already clear: Ukraine will never be a victory for Putin,” he said.
And he insisted: “Putin may be able to take a city, but he will never be able to control the country.”
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