In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, right, and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Ben Stiller shake hands during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, June 20, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)
Russia imposed personal sanctions Monday on 25 Americans, including actors Sean Penn and Ben Stiller, in response to US sanctions against Russians stemming from its invasion of Ukraine.
US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo was on the new sanctions list, as were several American senators: Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Mike Rounds of South Dakota, Rick Scott of Florida, and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania.
The Russian foreign ministry said in a statement the new names were added in response to the “ever-expanding” US sanctions “against Russian citizens.”
The ministry said the group, which also included business leaders and academics, would be banned permanently from entering Russia.
“The hostile actions of US authorities, which continue to follow a Russophobic course, destroying bilateral ties and escalating confrontation between Russia and the United States, will continue to be resolutely rebuffed,” the ministry said.
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Stiller and Penn have both expressed support for Ukraine and met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in June. Penn is an activist involved in relief work, among other causes. Stiller is a goodwill ambassador for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Ben Stiller talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, June 20, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)
Previous rounds of Russian sanctions against Americans have included President Joe Biden and members of his family, as well as lawmakers and business leaders.
The US has sanctioned numerous Russians, including government officials and business people.
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This image provided by Ukrainian Joint Forces Operation Press Service shows actor and producer Sean Penn visiting positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near the frontline with Russia-backed separatists in Donetsk region, Ukraine, Nov. 18, 2021. (Ukrainian Joint Forces Operation Press Service via AP)
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