Sean Penn and Ben Stiller
Russia bans Hollywood stars from entering the country
Ben Stiller (left) and Sean Penn are no longer allowed to go to Russia.
© imago/MediaPunch/imago/ZUMA Wire
Sean Penn and Ben Stiller end up blacklisted by the Russian Foreign Ministry. You are no longer allowed to travel to Russia.
Russia declares Sean Penn, 62, and Ben Stiller, 56, undesirables. The two Hollywood stars belong according to media reports to a group of 25 Americans who have been banned from entering the country by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
In addition to the actors, politicians such as Trade Minister Gina Raimondo (51) ended up on the new black list, as well as business people and scientists. US President Joe Biden (79) and other high-profile officials were permanently banned from entering the country in March 2022. The Russian government sees the measures as a response to Western sanctions against Russian politicians and businessmen.
Why Sean Penn and Ben Stiller?
Why did Sean Penn and Ben Stiller get it? Sean Penn has followed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine since it began in February this year. The actor and director was in the country when the war broke out to shoot a documentary about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (44). Since leaving, he has been taking care of refugees from Ukraine with his charity Core.
Ben Stiller is also committed to helping people who had to leave their homes because of the war on behalf of the UN refugee agency. Stiller visited Ukraine in June. Selenskyi, who, like Stiller, was a comedian and actor before his political career, he described as “his hero”.
Morgan Freeman and deceased politicians are also undesirable
The Russian Foreign Ministry had previously published an updated list of almost 1,000 undesirable American citizens. Actor Morgan Freeman (85) was banned from entering the country in March. The reason: In a video from 2017, the actor “accused Russia of conspiracy against the United States and called for a fight against our country,” according to the State Department.
Also on the previous list: Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg (38) and former US presidential candidate John McCain. He passed away in 2018…