Russia Sanctions 25 More Americans, Including Actors Sean Penn, Ben Stiller

Russia Sanctions 25 More Americans, Including Actors Sean Penn, Ben Stiller
Actor and producer Sean Penn visits positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near the frontline with Russia-backed separatists in Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Nov. 18, 2021. (Ukrainian Joint Forces Operation Press Service via AP)
The Associated Press
9/5/2022
Updated:
9/6/2022
0:00

Russia imposed personal sanctions Monday on 25 Americans, including actors Sean Penn and Ben Stiller, in response to U.S. sanctions against Russians stemming from the conflict in Ukraine.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo was on the new sanctions list, as were several American senators: Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.).

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the group, which also included business leaders, academics, and government officials, would be banned permanently from entering Russia.

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 United States has sanctioned numerous Russians, including government officials and business people.

Penn and Stiller have been outspoken critics of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Penn is an activist involved in relief work, among other causes. Stiller is a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Ben Stiller talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 20, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)
UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Ben Stiller talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 20, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)