"President Joe Biden will announce a Russian oil import ban on Tuesday, avoiding a fight with Congress and his own party, which was poised to act if he didn’t."

"The announcement will complete a shift for the White House which just days ago expressed fear that an import ban would send gas prices skyrocketing. Officials were hopeful to enact a ban in lockstep with European allies. But they are adjusting to what has become an overwhelming bipartisan interest on Capitol Hill, and within corners of the administration, in ridding U.S. markets of Russian oil as Vladimir Putin continues his assault on Ukraine."

 Politico reports.

According to a new Quinnipiac poll:  

... Americans say 71 - 22 percent that they would support a ban on Russian oil even if it meant higher gasoline prices in the United States.... Democrats (82 - 12 percent), independents (70 - 22 percent), and Republicans (66 - 30 percent) all support banning Russian oil. 

MEANWHILE: "Moscow has stoked fears of an energy war by threatening to close a major gas pipeline to Germany after the US pushed its European allies to consider banning Russian oil imports over its invasion of Ukraine" (The Guardian).