U.S. Sanctions On Russia: How Ohio Is Contributing

OHIO — The United States and its allies took steps Friday to further isolate and sanction Russia for its war on Ukraine, revoking “most favored nation status” and cutting the flow of luxury goods to Russia. In Ohio, leaders have already taken steps to stymie the Russian economy.

Gov. Mike DeWine barred state agencies from contracting with any Russian firm earlier this month, he also ordered the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation to divest of all Russian assets in its investment portfolio, and stopped the sale of Russian vodka in Ohio.

President Joe Biden’s executive order also stopped the import of cocktail party staples like caviar from the Black Sea and other fish and seafood, Russian vodka and other alcoholic beverages, diamonds and other high-end goods.

Also, Biden said, the U.S. and its allies are continuing to add to the names of Russian oligarchs facing sanctions.

“The free world is coming together to confront Putin,” Biden said from the Roosevelt Room of the White House.

Without being specific, Biden said that “Russia would pay a severe price if they used chemical weapons” against Ukraine.

Stripping Russia’s most favored nation status allows the U.S. and its allies to impose crippling tariffs on some Russian imports, further isolating the Russian economy.

The broad shift in trade policy comes as Biden faces pressure at home from a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers and from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to end what are known as “permanent normal trade relations” with Russia.

Earlier this week, Biden banned Russian oil and gas products, saying the United States would not subsidize Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine.

Biden announced the new sanctions as Russia widened its offensive in Ukraine, striking airfields in the west and a major industrial city in the east, while a huge armored column moved closer to the capital city of Kyiv.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.