Biden bans Russian-linked ships from US ports
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Sources said that in 2021 Russian vessels made about 1,800 visits, a small percentage of overall traffic.
PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - President Joe Biden announced on Thursday (April 21) that the United States will ban Russian-affiliated ships from American ports, joining Canada and European nations, in the latest step to pressure Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
The White House will release a proclamation with more details.
Reuters first reported Mr Biden's planned action on Thursday. It reported in early March that the ban was under consideration by the White House.
"That means no ship, no ship that sails under the Russian flag or that is owned or operated by a Russian entity will be allowed to dock in a United States port or access our shores. None," Mr Biden said on Thursday.
The sources said that in 2021 Russian vessels made about 1,800 visits, a small percentage of overall traffic.
The issue prompted an extensive Biden administration review to ensure the ban on Russian ships would not seriously impact US supply chains.
Canada on March 1 shuts its ports to Russian-owned ships and barred them from Canadian waters, and many European countries have also taken the same step.
The US previously barred Russian airplanes from US airspace, joining Canada and European nations in the action, and has banned Russian oil imports, which accounted for much of the prior Russian ship traffic to the US.