WH: No decision yet on possible ban of oil imports from Russia
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The White House admits, Europe's reliance on Russian oil puts them in a more challenging position.
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White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki (AFP)
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated, on Monday, that US President Joe Biden has not made a decision on whether to ban Russian oil imports in the United States, adding that it is still an ongoing discussion.
During a press briefing, Psaki stressed that "no decision has been made at this point by the president about a ban on importing oil from Russia and those discussions are ongoing internally."
White House Press Secretary Commented on fears from rising energy prices over the Ukraine crisis by claiming that the United States over the next year will produce more oil than ever before.
"The US produced more oil this past year than in President Trump’s first year. Next year, according to the Department of Energy, we will produce more oil than ever before," Psaki said.
In the same context, she added that the US recognizes that the European reliance on Russian oil puts them in a more challenging position.
"The reliance on the import of Russian oil is so much more significant in Europe, that while over the course of time it’s clear they recognize the need to diversify their means of getting oil, this is a bigger challenge and puts them in a more challenging position, and we recognize that from here," Psaki said.
Psaki went on to say that a US delegation traveled to Venezuela to discuss a range of issues most notably energy security.
"As it relates to Venezuela, the purpose of the trip that was taken by administration officials was to discuss a range of issues including certainly energy security, but also to discuss the health and welfare of detained US citizens," Psaki added.
It is worth mentioning that the New York Times reported, on Saturday, that senior US officials had left for Venezuela to meet with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government, possibly in an attempt to isolate Moscow from its international allies. As the West considers sanctions against Russian oil exports, Venezuela's reserves could be used to compensate, according to the report.
In a different context, she stressed that Washington does not oppose Poland’s decision to send planes to Ukraine, but the US considers the process complicated and could take years.
On the Russian-Chinese relationship, Psaki warned China by saying that the United States has the means to "take steps" against Beijing if it does not abide by the sanctions on Russia.
"We have also seen China abide by the sanctions that have been put in place [on Russia]. They obviously abstained, also from the UN Security Council vote, and have made some comments about the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. If they don't abide by the sanctions we always have, you know, we clearly have means to take steps but that's what we have seen today," Psaki said.
Earlier, US President Joe Biden held a video conference with the leaders of France, Germany, and Britain to discuss "the latest developments regarding Russia and Ukraine," the White House said.
During the call, Biden and the leaders of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom “affirmed their determination to continue raising the costs on Russia," the White House added.
The video call came after Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US and its allies are considering banning Russian oil and natural gas imports.
