Russia has announced a ban on 500 prominent Americans from entering the country as a response to the anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the Joe Biden administration. The list includes former United States President Barack Obama, late-night television host Stephen Colbert, and CNN’s Erin Burnett, among others.
According to Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ban targets individuals from various sectors, including government, law enforcement agencies, and media, who are perceived to be involved in the persecution of dissidents following the events of the Capitol Hill riot in January 2021. Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously questioned the arrests of the rioters, stating that they had come to Congress with political demands.
The updated list of sanctioned individuals also includes CNN journalists such as Nick Paton Walsh, Bianna Golodryga, and Timothy Naftali. Interestingly, British citizen Nick Paton Walsh is included on the list labeled “500 Americans.”
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs justified the bans as a strong reaction to what they perceive as hostile actions against Russia. However, the specific complaints against each individual and the implications of the sanctions were not elaborated upon.
Additionally, Russia continues to deny consular access to American journalist Evan Gershkovich, citing the failure to issue visas to Russian journalists during Sergey Lavrov’s visit to the United States in April.
The banning of prominent figures from the United States further strains the already tense relationship between Russia and the US, highlighting the escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations.