Cleveland Clinictwitter.com/victoriaidoni

WASHINGTON -- President Biden has decided to ban Russian oil imports, toughening the toll on Russia’s economy in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The move follows pleas by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to U.S. and Western officials to cut off the imports, which had been a glaring omission in the massive sanctions put in place on Russia over the invasion. Energy exports have kept a steady stream of cash flowing to Russia despite otherwise severe restrictions on its financial sector.

The White House said Biden would announce on Tuesday “actions to continue to hold Russia accountable for its unprovoked and unjustified war on Ukraine.”

The average price for a gallon of gasoline in the U.S. hit a record $4.17 as the country prepares to ban Russian oil imports. The average price rose by 10 cents per gallon in one day, and it’s up 55 cents since last week, according to AAA data.

Earlier today, energy giant Shell said that it will stop buying Russian oil and natural gas and shut down its service stations, aviation fuels and other operations in the country amid international pressure for companies to sever ties over the invasion of Ukraine.

The company said in a statement that it would withdraw from all Russian hydrocarbons “in a phased manner.”

The decision comes days after Ukraine’s foreign minister criticized Shell for continuing to buy Russian oil.

Last week, Shell said it was “shocked by the loss of life in Ukraine” and would end its joint ventures with Gazprom, the massive oil and gas company controlled by the Russian government.

While the U.S., Britain and the European Union have imposed tough economic sanctions on Russia, they have stopped short of banning oil and gas imports from Russia  because of concerns about the impact that would have on global energy supplies.

According to the International Energy Agency: Russia is the world’s second-largest oil producer.