Secretary of State says the Biden administration is having 'active discussions' to ban Russian oil imports to the US

The Biden administration is considering banning imports of Russian oil to the US, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

In an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press," the president is holding discussions with European allies about whether it's smart to do so.

We are in active discussions with our European partners about banning the import of Russian oil to our country, while maintaining a steady global supply of oil.

After Russia invaded Ukraine, the US imposed a series of harsh economic sanctions designed to make a difference in Russia's critical cash reserves and cut the country off from access to financial institutions. The Russian economy has been crippled by the sanctions. Consumers have seen gas prices rise as the global oil supply is disrupted.

The economy is heading into a deep recession and the ruble is in free-fall, according to Tony Blinken.

A ban on Russian oil exports is the last sanction the US can impose over Putin. Russia's energy resources bring in more than $500 million per day, which makes up half of its government revenue. If the US imposed an oil sanction, the Biden administration would deal a blow to Russia.

The US has resisted imposing an oil sanction on Russia because it might push Russia further into China's corner. Many Western corporations rely on Russian oil.

The Sunday remarks could mark a significant shift.

We are looking, again, as we speak, in coordination with our allies and partners at this process of banning oil imports.

The approach starts with coordinating with allies and partners.

Some US lawmakers are in favor of imposing an oil embargo on Russia.

Sen. Joe Manchin from West Virginia said on Sunday that it was foolish for us to keep buying products and giving profit to Putin.

The bipartisan bill was introduced this week in support of increasing US oil production to make up for any cuts to Russian oil dependence.