Key U.S. lawmakers on trade issues announced a bipartisan agreement Monday for legislation to ban the import of energy products from Russia and suspend normal trade relations in response to Moscow's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The U.S. government, meanwhile, is talking with countries in Europe and elsewhere about imposing a ban on Russian oil imports, possibly as the latest in a series of sanctions against Moscow. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that no decision had been made so far by President Joe Biden.
A ban on energy imports from Russia -- one of the world's largest oil producers -- will send "a clear message" to Russian President Vladimir Putin that his war is "unacceptable," U.S. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, both Democrats, said in a statement with Republican lawmakers as they announced the plan for legislation.
The plan also called for the suspension of normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus, which is helping Moscow in its military campaign.
"As the congressional leaders with jurisdiction over our nation's trade policy, we are committed to using the tools at our disposal to stop Russia's unconscionable and unjust war on Ukraine and to hold Belarus accountable for its involvement," the lawmakers said.
Concerns remain that an oil import ban could lead to a further increase in gas prices amid already rising inflation in the United States. The White House is also taking note of Europe's heavy reliance on oil supplies from Russia.
Reuters news agency reported that the United States is willing to move ahead with the ban without the participation of its allies in Europe, citing some people familiar with the matter.
Japan is also discussing the issue with the United States and European countries, a government source close to the matter said Monday.
Russia's military attack on Ukraine, which has continued for over a week and is leading to increased civilian casualties, has triggered worldwide condemnation and the imposition of severe sanctions by the United States and its allies to isolate Moscow from the global economy.
According to the Pentagon, nearly all of the Russian combat power that had been assembled near Ukraine prior to the invasion is now inside the country.
Since the start of the attack on Feb. 24, Russia has launched more than 625 missiles, a senior U.S. defense official said Monday.
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