In addition to the former president, American television hosts and presenters are also on the list, as are members of Congress.
By PM with AFP
Published on
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Ihe Russia responds to the United States. “In response to the anti-Russian sanctions, regularly imposed by the Biden administration (…) entry into the Russian Federation is closed to 500 Americans”, indicated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specifying that Barack Obama appeared on this list.
Russia’s announcement comes as the United States on Friday blacklisted “more than 300” people, companies, ships and planes across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, according to the Treasury and the State Department. “Washington should have known for a long time that no hostile action towards Russia will go unanswered,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
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Presenters in the list
Among the personalities who will now be banned from entering Russian territory are presenters or hosts from several American television channels: Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers. And also, Erin Burnett (CNN), Rachel Maddow and Joe Scarborough (MSNBC). Russia has announced that it blacklists members of the United States Congress, research institutes “involved in the dissemination of Russophobic attitudes and false information”, as well as the heads of companies which “provide weapons to Ukraine”.
Environmental NGO Greenpeace called Russia’s decision to label it an “undesirable” organization on its territory “absurd”.
Russia said in the same statement that it was again banning a consular visit to American journalist Evan Gershkovich, arrested in March after Washington refused to issue visas to some Russian journalists in April. Since the beginning of the offensive in Ukraine, the Russian authorities have greatly accelerated the repression of critical voices. Far from being confined to the political opposition, this repression affects all areas, such as cultural circles and environmental organizations.
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