‘Obama, Erin Burnett, Jimmy Kimmel’– Russia bans entry to 500 US nationals

Russia says it will ban entry to 500 nationals of the United States in response to the latest round of sanctions announced by Washington.

Affected nationals of the ban include former US President Barack Obama; Erin Burnett, CNN anchor; Rachel Maddow and Joe Scarborough, MSNBC presenters, and Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers – all tv hosts.

Russia’s foreign ministry made the annoucement on Friday, according to The Moscow Times.

“In response to the anti-Russian sanctions regularly imposed by the Biden administration… entry into the Russian Federation is closed for 500 Americans,” the foreign ministry was quoted to have said.

The US had earlier rolled out fresh sanctions against Russia as part of its intensified crackdown on the country for invading Ukraine.

The treasury department said it imposed restrictions on 22 people and 104 entities with touchpoints in over 20 countries or jurisdictions, including companies that import, ship or manufacture electronics components, semiconductors and microelectronics to Russia.

Additionally, the treasury department implemented a requirement for Americans to report any property in their possession or control in which Russia’s central bank, national wealth Fund or ministry of finance has an interest.

The state department also blocked property of almost 200 individuals, entities, vessels and aircraft and imposed sanctions on Polyus (PLZL.MM) and the Russian business of its peer, Polymetal (POLYP.L) – the largest gold producers in Russia.

In response, Russia said Washington should have learned a long time ago that not a single hostile step against the Kremlin will be left unanswered.

The country’s foreign ministry added that it also refused the latest US request for consular access to Evan Gershkovich, detained Wall Street Journal reporter  who was arrested in March on suspicion of spying.

According to the ministry, the move was triggered by the US’ refusal to give visas to media travelling with Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, to the United Nations (UN).