Actors Ben Stiller and Sean Penn are now prohibited from entering Russia following the country's announcement of sanctions.
Per AP News, Russia's Foreign Ministry imposed personal sanctions to bar 25 more Americans from entering the country on Sept. 5. Along with Penn and Stiller, 23 other Americans have been added to the list, including U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. As of Sept. 5, there are currently 1,073 names on Russia's "stop list." Penn and Stiller join filmmaker Rob Reiner and actor Morgan Freeman on the list for their opinions and relief work amidst the Russo-Ukrainian War.
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation released an official statement on the matter translated to English. "In response to the ever-expanding personal sanctions by the Biden Administration against Russian citizens, against another group of persons from among members of the U.S. Congress, high-ranking officials, representatives of the business and expert communities, as well as cultural figures (25 people), a ban on entry into the Russian Federation on a permanent basis." "The following is a list of names of American citizens who are included in the Russian 'stop list,' based on the principle of reciprocity."
Stiller was added to Russia's stop list for his work as a goodwill ambassador of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The actor posted on Instagram for World Refugee Day on June 20 to stand up for Ukraine. "Nobody chooses to flee their homes," Stiller said. "Seeking safety is a right and it needs to be upheld for every person." Stiller had personally met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in June, along with Ukrainians whose lives have been devastated since Russia invaded their country in February.
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As for Penn, the actor had been filming a documentary with Vice since November 2021. In fact, Penn met with Zelenskyy a day before Russia invaded Ukraine. While filming, the actor was encouraged to leave Ukraine to escape danger, but stuck with his commitment to advocate for those who may not be heard otherwise. The Russo-Ukrainian War isn't the first time Penn has covered dangerous situations. The actor also traveled to Iran to document the War on Terror for The San Francisco Chronicle.
Penn is known for his charitable generosity in addition to documenting the Russo-Ukrainian war. The Gaslit actor founded Community Organized Relief Effort in response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Like Penn, Stiller is also recognized for his kindness. In 2019, the Zoolander actor testified in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee advocating for Syrian refugees.
Source: AP News