MOSCOW – Russia announced a significant expansion of its entry ban on Thursday, barring 227 Americans from entering the country. The move comes in retaliation for what the Russian Foreign Ministry called “constantly expanding sanctions” imposed by the United States on Russian citizens.
The Ministry accused the banned individuals, who hail from government, business, media, and academic circles, of being actively involved in promoting the “Russophobic policy” of the current US administration. This includes, according to the Ministry’s statement, “hostile attacks, fabrications, and outright slander” against Russia’s domestic and foreign policies.
The list includes prominent figures like State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, former US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan, and former Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. It also encompasses representatives of private security firms, weapons manufacturers like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, and journalists from publications like the Washington Post and the New York Times. The Ministry specifically mentioned these journalists as being responsible for spreading “disinformation” about Russia.
This expansion brings the total number of Americans banned from entering Russia to 2,078. The Ministry stated that the move aims to make the US government aware that “aggressive attempts” against Russia will not be tolerated and will be met with a “decisive rebuff.”