Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, economic disruptions have rippled through the world. In Cupertino, the effects of the war are clearly seen in the sudden spike of gas prices, with an average of $5.82 for Santa Clara County compared to the national average of $4.32.

On March 8, President Biden announced the ban on Russian imported oil and gas in order to “target a main artery of Russia’s economy” and attempt to convince Putin to halt his invasion. Although the U.S. only receives 8% of its oil from Russia, which is less than oil imports from both Canada and Mexico, the decreased global supply caused by the ban increased prices worldwide. Combined with the already steady rise of inflation, the Russian-Ukraine War triggered gas price spikes throughout the country.

Junior Sydney Stevens, who drives to school every day, shares that she felt the rise of gas prices make a noticeable “dent in [her] money.” However, she ultimately agrees with Biden’s policy to ban Russian oil.

“[Given the circumstances], I don’t think we should be [buying] things from Russia right now,” Stevens said. “I’ve talked to my mom about how she’s going to try to minimize her trips so she could use [gas] more effectively.”

In response to the record high gas prices, California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a gas relief package during his State of the State address on March 8, which Newsom said would put “money back in the pockets of Californians to address rising gas prices.”

“Gas is something that is essential to many people,” Stevens said. “I think if we provide relief to underserved communities in California, that would be really helpful.”