Russia on Friday announced it was banning at least 500 Americans from entering the country even as the highly criticized war between Ukraine and Russia escalates.
The list of those banned from going to Russia includes prominent figures in the US and some journalists.
According to CNN, the list includes former US president Barack Obama, former US Ambassador Jon Huntsman, several US senators, the next expected chairman of the joint chiefs Charles Q. Brown Jr and American late night TV hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Colbert, and Seth Meyers.
According to a statement from Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as reported by CNN, the move has been seen to be in response to the anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the Joe Biden administration.
“The attached ‘list-500’ also includes those in government and law enforcement agencies who are directly involved in the persecution of dissidents in the wake of the so-called Storming the Capitol,” the ministry said.
On Friday, the US announced punitive measures against more than 300 targets. According to Guardian, the move was to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and intensify one of the harshest sanctions efforts ever implemented.
“Today’s actions will further tighten the vice on [Vladimir] Putin’s ability to wage his barbaric invasion and will advance our global efforts to cut off Russian attempts to evade sanctions,” the US treasury secretary, Janet Yellen, said.
