Russia's Foreign Ministry said Saturday that Moscow would retaliate against the U.S.'s most recent sanctions over Ukraine by denying entry to several U.S. citizens.
"Retaliatory measures definitely will be taken. First of all, a similar number of Americans will be prohibited from entering [Russia]," the ministry's spokesman Alexander Lukashevich was quoted in a statement as saying.
Lukashevich did not give names of those who would be denied entry.
Last week U.S. President Barack Obama imposed sanctions on some of Russia's biggest firms for the first time, as well as four Russian government officials and prime minister of the self-styled Donetsk People's Republic in Ukraine.
Lukashevich also said Moscow had extended a visa ban on U.S. Representative Jim Moran following U.S. sanctions earlier this month against State Duma deputy, Adam Delimkhanov.
"We have repeatedly stated that it is useless to talk to us in the language of sanctions. Such steps will not remain without consequences. When it comes to the visa restrictions, the reaction is usually mirrored," he said.
"As to economic restrictions they anyway have a boomerang effect and will inevitably do harm to American business focused on the Russian market."
The ministry also published the names of 12 Americans who had been added to the "stop-list" in response to the sanctioning by the U.S. of 12 Russians under the Magnitsky rule for human rights violations on May 20.
The list includes the U.S. Guantanamo Bay detention camp's commander Rear Admiral Richard Butler.
See also:
Rosneft Warns Sanctions Will Damage International Shareholders
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