Russia has banned 500 Americans from setting foot in Russia in response to U.S. sanctions, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"In response to the staple anti-Russian sanctions by the Joe Biden administration, which are designed by Washington to inflict maximum damage on Russia, personally affecting officials and ordinary citizens of our country, 500 Americans are denied entry to the Russian Federation as a countermeasure," the ministry said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that Moscow’s sanctions list included not only "dignitaries, including former U.S. President Barack Obama," but also current high-ranking officials from every level of the executive branch, former officials, as well as "the heads of defense companies that provide arms to the Kiev regime."
"It is high time Washington learned that Russia will not just sit by and watch as it unleashes its hostile campaigns against Russia. Retribution will never be far away, whether that means tightening the pressure of sanctions or about discriminatory steps aimed at obstructing our fellow citizens’ professional activities," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in the statement.
