President Joe Biden on Friday called for a removal of normal trade relations with Russia, allowing for new tariffs on Russian imports in yet another effort to ratchet up sanctions over Moscow’s intensifying invasion of Ukraine.

RELATED: Ukraine-Russia tensions: Why concerns of a Russian invasion are high https://youtu.be/MwgHSzz7StQ

Biden said the move will be another “crushing blow” to Russia’s economy.

“The free world is coming together to confront (Russian President Vladimir) Putin,” he said. “We’re going to continue to squeeze Putin.”

Biden’s proposal, which would require congressional approval, would put Moscow’s trade relationship with the U.S. in the same category as North Korea and Cuba.

European Union and G7 allies are also expected to act as the horrific toll on Ukrainians continues to mount, including attacks on health care works and facilities such as an airstrike on a maternity hospital that killed at least three people, including a child.

» Subscribe to USA TODAY: http://bit.ly/1xa3XAh
» Watch more on this and other topics from USA TODAY: https://bit.ly/3sfrcht
» USA TODAY delivers current local and national news, sports, entertainment, finance, technology, and more through award-winning journalism, photos, videos and VR.