Gas Prices Up In Ohio As Fears Of Russia-Ukraine Invasion Mount

OHIO — The Ukraine-Russia crisis is driving oil prices ever higher in the U.S. and across Ohio.

The average gallon of gas in the Buckeye State now costs $3.33, according to travel organization AAA. That's up from $3.22 last week, the largest week-to-week increase in the U.S., and up $3.04 in January. Nationally, the average gallon of gas in the U.S. now costs $3.53, up from $3.33 in January, AAA said.

Oil prices are climbing as tensions and discussion of invasion dominate the international conversation. Ohio's politicians have almost universally condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin and called for swift and severe reaction from the U.S. government.

While such a reaction is likely, it will also have an impact domestically.

“Russia is one of the leading oil producers globally, behind only the United States and Saudi Arabia,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “And if they choose to withhold their oil from the global market, such a move would eventually be reflected in higher gas prices for American drivers.”

President Joe Biden announced the U.S. was ordering heavy financial sanctions against Russian banks and oligarchs on Tuesday, declaring that Moscow had flagrantly violated international law by invading Ukraine. Russian troops were recently ordered over the Ukrainian border and the White House has begun referring to those actions as an "invasion," the Associated Press reported.

Russia began evacuating its embassy in Kyiv, and Ukraine urged its citizens to leave Russia on Wednesday as the region braced for further confrontation after President Vladimir Putin received authorization to use military force outside his country and the West, including the U.S., responded with sanctions.

Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this article.