Foreign country bans Obama’s entry.

Russia Bans 500 Americans, Including Obama and Colbert, in Response to New U.S. Sanctions

In a bold move, Russia has announced that it is banning 500 Americans from entering the country, including former President Barack Obama and comedian Stephen Colbert, in response to a new round of U.S. sanctions.

The Offenses

The list released by the Russian Foreign Ministry did not specify complaints against each individual. However, the ministry said the offenses included people who spread Russophobia, supplied Ukraine with arms, and were “directly involved in the persecution of dissidents in the wake of the so-called ‘storm of the Capitol.’”

The Ban List

• 45 members of the U.S. House
• Republican Sens. J.D. Vance of Ohio, Katie Britt of Alabama, and Eric Schmitt of Missouri
• Former ambassadors to Russia John Tefft and Jon Huntsman

The ministry also denied a U.S. request for consular access to Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who was arrested in late March and charged with espionage.

The ministry said that was in response to the United States denying visas to Russian journalists who wanted to cover Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to the United Nations last month.

The Latest Sanctions

The latest sanctions aimed at Russia include tighter restrictions on already-sanctioned people and companies involved in the war effort. The financial penalties have been primarily focused on sanctions evaders connected to technology procurement for the Kremlin.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.