US rejects Ukrainian appeal to impose blanket travel ban on Russians

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US rejected on Monday Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's appeal for Western countries to impose blanket travel bans on Russian nationals, saying it is important to distinguish between the actions of the Kremlin and the Russian people.

A State Department spokesperson pointed to ongoing US efforts to impose costs on Russia in response to its half-year war on Ukraine. That has already included visa restrictions being imposed on Russian officials, including some 5,000 individuals since Moscow began its war in February.

"We will continue to identify those involved in Russia’s invasion and will promote accountability for their conduct. We are looking at all tools to hold the Kremlin to account," the spokesperson said in an email exchange on condition of anonymity.

"The U.S. wouldn’t want to close off pathways to refuge and safety for Russia’s dissidents or others who are vulnerable to human rights abuses. We’ve also been clear that it is important to draw a line between the actions of the Russian government and its policies in Ukraine, and the people of Russia."

Zelenskyy on Aug. 8 appealed to Western nations to ban Russians from entering their countries, saying in an interview with the Washington Post newspaper that "the most important sanctions are to close the borders — because the Russians are taking away someone else’s land.”

The idea has gained some traction among some of Ukraine's European partners, including Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin who backed banning Russians from receiving tourist visas, and called on the EU to adopt the policy bloc-wide.

Over 5,500 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since Russian began its war on Feb. 24 with nearly 7,900 injured, according to the UN.