Biden to ban U.S. imports of Russian vodka, diamonds and seafood

U.S. President Joe Biden announces new actions against Russia for its war on Ukraine, during remarks in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 11, 2022.

President Joe Biden on Friday issued an executive order blocking imports of key Russian products, including vodka, and banning exports of high-end goods to Russia.

According to the text of the order, the executive action banned imports from key sectors of Russia's economy, such as seafood, alcohol and non-industrial diamonds.

The White House said in a fact sheet that the action will block more than $1 billion in Russian revenues and help ensure American citizens are not involved in the war in Ukraine.

The order will stop the U.S. from exporting luxury items to Russia. The lifestyles of Russian billionaires include high-end watches and clothes, jewelry, top-shelf liquor and luxury vehicles.

The White House said that the new export restrictions are worth over 500 million dollars a year.

They are not the last steps we are taking, Biden said in a speech at the White House.

He said that Putin must pay the price for being the aggressor.

The White House revealed the next steps to punish Moscow after Biden called for the U.S. to strip Russia of its trading status. The European Union and the Group of Seven nations are expected to follow suit.