Russia bans entry to 500 Americans, including Barack Obama 

As a response to the US’s penalties, Russia declared on Friday that it had banned the entry of 500 Americans, including former President Barack Obama. The Russian foreign ministry noted that the ban was enforced in response to the Biden administration’s repeated anti-Russian measures. They emphasised that Obama was among those named on the list. On the same day, the US added additional companies and persons to its sanctions blacklist, attempting to further limit Russia’s economy as a consequence of the Ukraine invasion.

Famous personalities listed in the entry ban

As stated by the Russian Foreign Ministry, “Washington should have understood a long ago that any provocations against Russia will not go unchallenged.” Popular television hosts such as Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Seth Meyers were also on the list of names, as were CNN anchor Erin Burnett and MSNBC anchors Rachel Maddow and Joe Scarborough.

Russia stated that the blacklist was intended to target legislators, congressmen, and members of research and political organisations who were active in promoting anti-Russian emotions and disseminating misleading information. In addition, the CEOs of companies that sent weaponry to Ukraine have also been mentioned.

In the same declaration, Russia denied diplomatic access to jailed US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was taken into custody in March on espionage allegations. The rejection was in retaliation to Washington’s refusal to grant visas to journalists accompanying Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on his April visit to the United Nations.