On the same day that President Joe Biden banned Russian energy imports, U.S. Rep. Donald Payne (D-10) said the President should take the additional punishing step of targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s personal funds.

In an interview Tuesday evening with InsiderNJ, Payne said he supports NATO’s current stance of refraining from imposing a no-fly zone on Ukraine.

“Right now I defer to the professionals in the military to advise us,” said the Newark-based congressman. “I am in opposition to a no-fly zone because it could trigger World Ward Three. If we impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine, we will end up shooting down some of their fighters, and the next thing is people will be worried about a nuclear response. I shudder to think of that which will take us closer to a nuclear response.”

Payne said he believes the sanctions undertaken against Russia by Biden are working.

“I do believe economic sanctions are working,” said the Democratic Congressman, “as Russia is denied access to international banking systems; that has to be crippling. Also, Switzerland coming in with NATO says a great deal about the world coming together in imposing these sanctions.

“Bring this guy to his knees,” Payne added, in reference to Putin. “The ruble is beginning to plummet. At  some point in time the masses are going to rise up. Putin’s going to decide what he’s going to do. The pressure is going to be on the guy at the top as the regime feels the pain. At some point, they will take things into their own hands. In addition, I hope President Biden puts sanctions on Putin’s personal funds. Until you put pressure on him, he’s like the Republican Party – until it happens too them personally, it doesn’t matter. They’re the party of ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps.’ and Putin’s leadership of ‘let them eat cake.'”

Payne this evening celebrated Biden’s energy ban of Russian imports.

“I think it’s a good thing,” the congressman said. “They’re obviously in pain. This increases it. I think it sends a message. We are not going to say ‘let Putin do what he wants, because gas prices will be higher.’ No, we’re saying, we will pay more at the pump if it means protecting the safety of our troops.”

He acknowledged the pain, but said the policy will cause more pain to an already reeling Russia.

“This is one of the sacrifices we must underdo to avoid the more costly sacrifice of our men and women in uniform,” said Payne.

The congressman also referred to the war in Ukraine an opportunity for the United States to redouble its efforts toward energy independence.

“Fossil fuels are a finite energy resource,” said the congressman. “Can you fathom the amount of gas that has been consumed since the car was created? I’m surprised gas lasted this long. We need to move away from gas and be proactive to find alternative fuels.”