Iconic Hollywood star Morgan Freeman has been banned from entering Russia as the nation’s government, headed by dictator Vladimir Putin, bitterly hits out at American sanctions.
The 84-year-old actor will now be unable to admire the colourful domes of St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow’s Red Square, or enjoy a luxury train journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway after being named in a list of 963 Americans that are banned from the soviet nation.
The Russian government has targeted the Bruce Almighty star and added him to a list of ‘permanently banned’ individuals.
The move comes as Vladimir Putin’s government attempts to retaliate against severe sanctions implemented against Russia due to their illegal invasion of Ukraine which has been raging since February.
Russian billionaires have seen there assets frozen and had travel bans slapped on them by countries around the world as the international community has condemned Putin’s illegal war.
And in response, the Kremlin has created a list of Americans they believe “incite Russophobia” and banned them from visiting the icy country.
Russian Foreign Ministry officials said in a statement released on Saturday: “We emphasize that the hostile actions taken by Washington, which boomerang against the United States itself, will continue to receive a proper rebuff.
“Russian counter-sanctions are forced and aimed at forcing the ruling American regime, which is trying to impose a neo-colonial 'rules-based world order' on the rest of the world, to change its behavior, recognizing new geopolitical realities.
“Russia does not seek confrontation and is open to honest, mutually respectful dialogue, separating the American people, who are always respected by us, from the US authorities, who incite Russophobia, and those who serve them. It is these people who are included in the Russian 'black list’.”
It is believed that Morgan was added to the list due to the fact he hit out at Russia for allegedly interfering in the 2016 Presidential Election which saw Donald Trump sweep to power.
The star hit out at Russia, saying in a 2017 video clip: “We have been attacked, we are at war.”
American actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner made the 2017 video and he too has found himself on Russia’s extensive list of banned US citizens.
The list curiously also includes a number of dead American politicians – with the late senator John McCain named despite him passing away in 2018 at the age of 81.
Harry Reid, a Democrat senator from Nevada who died in December at the age of 82 has also been listed as a banned citizen.
While Orrin Hatch, a Republican senator from Utah, has also been banned – even though he died last month at the age of 88.
A string of other politicians, a number of American journalists, and even activists and religious figures have also found themselves on the list.
American journalist Susan Glasser, of the New Yorker, hit out at the sanction on her, writing on Twitter : “Wow. Just found out I’m now banned in Russia.
“Badge of honor, but also so sad… I look forward to returning to a free Russia someday after this hell war and those who wrought it are gone.”
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