Biden Bans Russian Oil Imports, OH Gas Prices Could Climb Higher

OHIO — President Joe Biden banned all oil imports from Russia on Tuesday, a move that could further cripple the Russian economy but will also drive prices higher at American gas pumps.

“Defending freedom is going to cost,” Biden said during a news conference. “It’s going to cost us as well in the United States.”

Rep. Marcy Kaptur, a Northeast Ohio Democrat, previously called on Biden this week to cut off the imports and further invest in American energy production.

"I have heard my constituents loud and clear: as the gold standard for freedom, liberty, and democracy — America must cut its reliance on the blood oil that fuels Vladimir Putin’s tyrannical reign," Kaptur said in a statement. "The time has come to end the importation of Russian oil."

Biden was initially reticent to pull the trigger on banning Russian oil imports out of a desire to limit the escalation of American gas prices. In the Buckeye State, gas prices have increased nearly 50 cents in one week and the average gallon of unleaded now costs nearly $4.

If prices continue to climb, Ohioans could soon be paying record-breaking numbers at the pump. Gas prices hit a record-high in May 2011 when Ohioans were paying $4.12 on average for a gallon of unleaded, AAA said.

At the current pace, Ohioans could be paying more than $4.12 per gallon by the end of the week.

Biden's move follows pleas by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to U.S. and Western officials to cut off the imports, which had been a glaring omission the massive sanctions put in place on Russia over the invasion. Energy exports have kept a steady influx of cash flowing to Russia despite otherwise severe restrictions on its financial sector.

In the delicate balance of isolating and crippling Russia's economy while stymieing inflation in America, Biden specifically highlighted the Russian energy carve-outs as a virtue because they would help to protect U.S. families and businesses from higher prices. But pressure from Zelenskyy and parts of the American public could end those carve-outs this week.

Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this report.