Ben Stiller and Sean Penn are among 25 citizens that have been banned from entering Russia, by the country’s government.
This is supposedly in response to sanctions laid down by the US against Russia, following its invasion of Ukraine, according to the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry’s website.
“In response to the ever-expanding personal sanctions on Russian citizens by Joe Biden’s administration, a permanent ban to enter the Russian Federation has been imposed on another group of US Congress members, high-ranking officials, members of the business and expert community and cultural figures”, a translated statement read.
US senators Kevin Cramer, Mark Kelly, Kyrsten Sinema, Patrick Toomey Jr, and Richard Scott have also been banned, alongside Joe Biden’s commerce secretary Gina Raimondo.
“stand in solidarity”
Ben Stiller and Sean Penn are two of several public figures who have actively shown their support for Ukraine, in their ongoing war with Russia.
Back in June, Stiller met Ukraine’s president Voldomyr Zelensky in Kyiv on World Refugee Day.
The actor hailed the president as his “hero”, praising him for rallying support for his country, in their ongoing war with Russia.
“It’s a great honour for me.. you’re my hero!”, Stiller told the president. “What you’ve done, the way that you’ve rallied the country, the world, it’s really inspiring,” said the 56-year-old American star, referring to President Zelensky’s speeches to audiences around the world to rally support for his embattled country”.
The Night at the Museum star star also said this in a separate message via Instagram.
“I’m meeting people who’ve been impacted by the war and hearing how it’s changed their lives. War and violence are devastating people all over the world. Nobody chooses to flee their home. Seeking safety is a right and it needs to be upheld for every person”, he said.
Visiting Ukraine back in February, Sean Penn was filming a documentary about the invasion.
“The director specifically came to Kyiv to record all the events that are currently happening in Ukraine and to tell the world the truth about Russia’s invasion of our country”, a statement from the Office of the President of the Ukraine at the time.
“Sean Penn is among those who support Ukraine in Ukraine today. Our country is grateful to him for such a show of courage and honesty”.
