Diplomatic escalation between Moscow and London: five British citizens, including investigative journalists, banned in Russia
The authorities in Moscow decided to ban access to the Russian Federation for five British citizens, the decision being motivated by accusations of “anti-Russian rhetoric” and the support given to Ukraine by Great Britain.
Moscow bans the entry of five British citizens PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Among those targeted is Catherine Belton, an investigative journalist at “The Washington Post” with previous experience at “Financial Times” and Reuters, and Richard Holmes, the publication's security correspondent “The i Paper”Pulitzer Prize finalist.
Also on the sanctions list are Alexander Browder, associate of the Henry Jackson Society think-tank, Alice Laugher, executive director of the humanitarian recruitment firm Committed to Good, as well as Richard Westbury, president of the Chelsea Group, the company that owns Committed to Good, Reuters writes.
The Russian Foreign Ministry motivated the decision by what it called “provocative anti-Russian rhetoric” from British officials, the spread of “insinuations” to Russia, but also the military support given to Ukraine by London.
The move comes as relations between Russia and Britain remain strained, particularly after the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and, subsequently, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
London has since imposed several packages of sanctions against Moscow, including travel restrictions, to which Russia has responded with similar measures against British citizens.
