With the invasion of Ukraine ongoing and the United States and Western Europe supporting Ukraine against Russia, the Russian government has announced a ban against prominent American officials over the weekend.
According to reports, former US President Barack Obama, late-night television hosts, Congressional lawmakers, and journalists are on the ban list in "response to the regularly anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the Joe Biden administration," Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The Foreign Ministry list includes 45 US House of Representatives and Senators, with lawmakers such as Ohio Republican Sen. J.D. Vance, Alabama Republican Sen. Katie Britt, and Missouri Republican Eric Schmitt, for spreading "Russophobia" and supplying Ukraine with weaponry.
Journalists such as Jeffrey Scott Shapiro of ADN America were on Moscow's list alongside Nick Paton Walsh, a CNN Reporter and British citizen.
Late night comedians such as Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, and Seth Meyers were also on the list, along with former US Ambassador Jon Huntsman.
Moscow's Foreign Ministry statement said that the attached "500 List" includes the US government and law enforcement agencies "involved in the persecution of dissidents in the wake of the so-called Storming the Capitol," referencing the events of January 6, 2021.
"It is high time for Washington to learn that not a single hostile attack against Russia will go without a strong reaction," the Foreign Ministry said.
As Russia's military forces continue to encircle Ukraine and make gains in different parts of the country, the US and its G7 allies are working to increase military aid to Kyiv. Following the preceding months of the war, Moscow has received economic and military assistance from China and the Islamic Republic of Iran despite international sanctions.
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