Even Vice President's Husband Included... Russia Bans Entry of 29 Americans

Including Vice President Kamala Harris and Mark Zuckerberg

On the 21st (local time), U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris (right) and her husband Doug Emhoff (left), who were placed on Russia's entry ban list.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] On the 21st (local time), Russia retaliated against the Biden administration's intensified sanctions on Russia by imposing entry bans on 29 Americans, including Vice President Kamala Harris and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated on its website that "in response to the Biden administration's continuous sanctions against Russia, 29 Americans, including high-ranking leaders, businessmen, experts, journalists, and spouses of senior officials who promote Russophobia, have been added to the 'Stop List' (entry ban list)."

In addition to Vice President Harris, the Biden administration officials included Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Secretary of Defense; John Kirby, Department of Defense spokesperson; and Ned Price, State Department spokesperson.

In the industry sector, names such as CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Brian Moynihan, CEO of Bank of America (BofA), Horacio Rozanski, CEO of Booz Allen Hamilton, and Ryan Roslansky, CEO of LinkedIn, were listed.

Business Insider, a U.S. economic media outlet, reported, "Although the Russian government accused Twitter and YouTube of spreading 'fake news,' Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal and Google CEO Sundar Pichai were not included on the list." Facebook and LinkedIn are currently completely banned in Russia.

Also included were Vice President Harris's husband Doug Emhoff, Georgetown University professor Matthew Kroenig, and CNN reporter Viana Golodry, drawing attention.

Spokesperson Price said at a press briefing that day, "It is a compliment to us that the Russian government, which lies to its people, brutally treats neighboring countries, and tries to create a world without freedom, is angry at us."

He mentioned White House spokesperson Jen Psaki, Department of Defense spokesperson Kirby, and numerous journalists who were either newly added or already on Russia's Stop List, emphasizing, "It is an honor to be able to share hostility toward Russia with those who speak the truth."

On the same day, the Russian government also added 61 Canadians to the Stop List. The list included high-ranking officials, current and former military personnel, experts, and journalists.