Russia bans PM Johnson’s entry

MOSCOW: After London imposed sanctions on Russia for its military campaign in Ukraine, Moscow said on Saturday that it was denying entrance to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and numerous other top UK officials.

The foreign ministry said in a statement that “this step was taken as a response to London’s unbridled information and political campaign aimed at isolating Russia internationally, creating conditions for restricting our country and strangling the domestic economy.”

The ministry cited “unprecedented hostile actions” by London, in particular sanctions against Russia’s senior leaders.

“The British leadership is deliberately aggravating the situation surrounding Ukraine, pumping the Kyiv regime with lethal weapons and coordinating similar efforts on behalf of NATO,” the ministry said.

Russian Foreign Minister Liz Truss, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, and former Prime Minister Theresa May are just a few of the prominent figures on Russia’s no-fly list. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab are also on the list.

Since Vladimir Putin’s soldiers entered Ukraine on February 24, Britain has been part of an international effort to punish Russia with asset freezes, travel bans, and economic sanctions.