Russia bars 20 Ohio politicians permanently from entering country

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Russia has banned 20 Ohio politicians from getting into the nation as half of a bigger practically 1,000 people who find themselves not welcome.

The broader checklist from the Russian International Ministry of 963 individuals barred from entry into the nation comprises primarily present and former lawmakers, journalists and enterprise executives. Among the many checklist was Ohio’s whole congressional delegation and its two senators, Republican Rob Portman and Democrat Sherrod Brown.

Together with these members, former U.S. Home Speaker John Boehner and former Gov. John Kasich are additionally barred from entry.

The checklist is a response to American sanctions in opposition to Russia for the latter’s invasion of Ukraine. Each member of the Ohio congressional delegation voted in favor of two sanctions packages in April.

The checklist of barred people additionally contained a couple of oddities.

Maybe essentially the most stunning was the inclusion of Morgan Freeman, the Academy Award-winning actor. The International Ministry cited a 2017 video by Freeman crucial of Russia for its marketing campaign to affect the 2016 presidential election in favor of Republican Donald Trump.

Additionally included within the checklist have been Sens. John McCain, an Arizona Republican; Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican; and Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat. All three senators are useless.