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White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki spoke to reporters Thursday about the ongoing energy crisis exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Asked about US sanctions against Russian oil and the possible financial support for the import of resources from the nation that Russian President Vladimir Putin could give, Psaki stressed that the administration wants to be free. However, the process may take some time, Psaki said.
“There is a political process that takes place for every decision made,” the spokesman told reporters. “Sometimes they move fast and there are often a number of factors that are discussed in making those decisions.”
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Insisting further on personal sanctions against the Russian leadership, Psaki said they wanted any sanctions to directly damage Putin’s pocketbook.
“One of the big factors, of course, is proximity to President Putin,” Psaki said of future energy sanctions aimed at the higher echelons of the Russian oligarchy. “We want him to feel the pressure. We want the people around him to feel the pressure. I do not believe that this will be the last set of oligarchs. Making them a priority and a focus on our individual sanctions is something the president has focused on. “
Reports show that the United States is buying 650,000 barrels a day from Russia, a major problem since Putin’s deadly invasion of Ukraine, where hundreds of civilians were killed after eight days of violence. The White House now faces bipartisan calls for increased domestic energy production.
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Psaki joined America’s Newsroom on Tuesday to discuss the Biden administration’s response to Ukraine’s crisis, as it relates to energy and moves the White House is still considering as the Russian attack continues.
Spokeswoman Jen Psaki answers questions during the White House daily press briefing on January 5, 2022 (Win McNamee / Getty Images)
“They have serious financial problems on the ground in Russia, which are affecting President Putin and the circle around him,” Psaki told co-hosts Dana Perino and Bill Hammer. “What he’s looking at, and we’re very aware of that, is minimizing the impact on global markets and the American people.
Psaki also mentioned that “a wide range of options remain on the table” when asked about the potential reopening of the Keystone XL pipeline to minimize energy dependence abroad, reiterating the president’s concerns about energy prices.
“This Keystone pipeline will take years to influence prices,” Psaki said. “Obviously there are a number of reasons why the president opposes, but he didn’t work, he doesn’t work. It will take years. There are also 9,000 approved oil leases that are not used by oil companies. “
“So yes, we all want to take steps to deal with any increase in gas prices that affects the American people,” she continued. “But we need to be very clear about which policies will help and which will not.
Courtney O’Brien and Bailey Hill of Fox News contributed to this report.