US, France, Germany, Britain vow to further raise 'costs' on Russia

U.S. President Joe Biden conducts a secure video call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and French President Emmanuel Macron, in the Situation Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., in this photo taken and obtained from the White House, March 7. AFP-Yonhap

The leaders of the United States, France, Germany and Britain vowed Monday to further punish Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, the White House said after video teleconference talks.

Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and Boris Johnson "affirmed their determination to continue raising the costs on Russia for its unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine," a U.S. statement said.

Western allies have maintained a unified front on sanctions against Russia over its assault on Ukraine, but cracks emerged Monday over the prospect of an embargo on Russian oil and gas imports ― a move unpalatable to Germany, which is dependent on Russian gas.

Berlin's statement after the meeting did not address sanctions, and focused on concerns over humanitarian aid to besieged areas, which the leaders also discussed.

Earlier Monday, Scholz said Russian energy imports were "essential" to Europeans' daily lives, cautioning against banning Russian oil and gas as part of Western sanctions as it could put Europe's energy security at risk.

Biden is under mounting pressure from U.S. lawmakers to cut off the source of essential revenue for Russian President Vladimir Putin's government.

The United States, itself a top oil producer, imports little Russian crude and Biden has said "nothing is off the table" when asked if oil could be the next target.

But he has so far held back due to the risk of fracturing unity with Europeans and of fueling already galloping U.S. inflation, which has knocked his standing among Americans. (AFP)