Russia has published a list of 963 Americans who have been “permanently banned” from entering the country in response to US sanctions related to the invasion of Ukraine.
Washington (USA) – Actor Morgan Freeman, 84, is among the names on the list, apparently as a result of appearing in a video clip in 2017 that accused the Russian government of meddling with American democracy.
Freeman narrated the promotional video for an organisation named The Committee to Investigate Russia, CNN reports.
The video was directed by filmmaker Rob Reiner, best known for movies including The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally, and he has also been added to the Kremlin’s list.
Russia’s foreign ministry said the people on the list “incite Russophobia”.
It said: “We emphasise 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… to change its behaviour, recognising new geopolitical realities,” it added.
Alongside politicians from the opposite side of the US spectrum, from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Marjorie Taylor Greene, the list also includes several politicians who are dead.