Russia bans President Joe Biden from entering

According to Reuters, Russia announced on May 21 that it had banned 963 Americans from entering the country – including a previously announced move against President Joe Biden and other top Washington officials. Russia warned that it would continue to retaliate against the “hostile action” of the US.

Reuters said the travel bans were largely symbolic. Relations between Russia and the West have been low since Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, prompting Washington and its allies to impose unprecedented sanctions on Moscow and increase supplies. weapons for Kiev.

President Biden (right) and Secretary of State Blinken. Photo: Reuters

For the first time publishing the full list of Americans sanctioned, the Russian Defense Ministry said: “We emphasize that the hostile actions taken by Washington, which are against the United States itself, will continue to be received. get an appropriate response”.

The ministry added that Russia’s retaliatory sanctions are a necessary response to force the US to change its behavior and recognize the new geopolitical reality.

Previously announced names on Russia’s “blacklist” include Foreign Minister Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns of the US.

In addition to the 963 Americans, the Russian Foreign Ministry also added 26 new names to the list of Canadians banned from entering the country, including defense officials, defense industry executives and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, wife of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The list was published four days after Canada announced a bill banning President Vladimir Putin and about 1,000 members of the Russian government and military from entering. The list includes a number of other names such as Jocelyn Paul, Eric Kenny and Angus Topshee, the new heads of the Canadian army, air and navy appointed last month.

In response, Russia banned Trudeau, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and hundreds of other Canadians from entering the country.