Vice President Kamala Harris is facing new criticism for an answer she gave when asked whether the U.S. would sanction Russia’s energy sector.
While the U.S. and its European allies have implemented a series of sanctions to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, they have stopped short of targeting its energy field. Last year, Russian oil and gas exports accounted for roughly 36% of its national budget.
But many are calling for the administration to impose sanctions on Russia’s oil and gas exports which could strike a crippling blow against its economy, and potentially force Russian President Vladimir Putin to rethink continuing his invasion.
On Wednesday, NBC’s Savannah Guthrie asked Harris, “Is that on the table? Is that something the administration would consider in terms of further sanctions, cutting off the oil and gas part of the economy?”
Harris responded by praising Germany for putting a hold on the approval of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Then she turned to the United States’ response and noted that President Joe Biden would tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to address price increases.
“But let’s take this one step at a time, understanding that right now on the issue of energy, our allies have stood firm and unified in a way that many of the pundits didn’t predict would happen, to ensure that we are unified in our approach to this issue,” she continued.
Watch the video below:
.@VP Harris on why Biden’s still buying oil from Russia: "Understanding that right now on the issue of energy, our allies have stood firm and unified in a way that many of the pundits didn’t predict would happen, to ensure that we are unified in our approach to this issue." pic.twitter.com/vyiHauZOMm
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) March 2, 2022
Several criticized her response on Twitter:
What?! https://t.co/KeI2hTDRdx
— Nick Short (@PoliticalShort) March 2, 2022
Another word salad filled w crutches. Has no one tried to coach her? 🤦🏻♀️ https://t.co/mcCuU51SgF
— Tammy Bruce (@HeyTammyBruce) March 2, 2022
The Vice President can't defend buying oil from Russia because it's indefensible. https://t.co/hkv5OeZeAb
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) March 2, 2022
Another train wreck interview from @KamalaHarris this time trying to explain why the Biden presidency continues to buy Russian oil, which is actually helping fund Putin's invasion of Ukraine. https://t.co/O5EXaimgCN
— Nile Gardiner (@NileGardiner) March 2, 2022
guys just call a lid for the next month, ok https://t.co/jBG1fsdYm3
— Emily Zanotti 🦝 (@emzanotti) March 2, 2022
Biden gave a clearer answer later in the day when he was asked if the U.S. would ban Russian oil and gas. He said, “Nothing is off the table.”
And White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the U.S. is “very open” to sanctioning Russia’s energy sector.