<p>Russia on Thursday slapped travel bans on US Vice President Kamala Harris, Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg and dozens of prominent Americans and Canadians in retaliation for sanctions imposed over Ukraine.</p>.<p>The Russian foreign ministry said the travel restrictions on 29 Americans and 61 Canadians -- which also includes defence officials, business leaders and journalists from both countries -- would remain in effect indefinitely.</p>.<p>The foreign ministry said the list was comprised of people responsible for the two countries' "Russophobic" policies.</p>.<p>In Washington, one of the officials targeted, State Department spokesman Ned Price, said that the travel ban was "an honour."</p>.<p>"I have to say it is nothing less than an accolade to have earned the ire of a government that lies to its own people, brutalises its neighbours and seeks to create a world where freedom and liberty are put on the run and, if they had their way, extinguished," Price told reporters.</p>.<p>Asked if he had to cancel any travel plans to Russia, Price quipped: "Fortunately I had no rubles and even if I did they would be worthless by now anyway."</p>.<p>The United States has led international efforts to impose sweeping sanctions on Russia over its military operation in Ukraine, causing tumult in its economy.</p>.<p>The United States and European Union has personally sanctioned a number of Russians including President Vladimir Putin, his daughters and oligarchs seen as crucial to the Russian leader's power.</p>.<p>Other Americans banned Thursday by Russia include ABC News television presenter George Stephanopoulos, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius and the Russia-focused Meduza news site's editor Kevin Rothrock.</p>.<p>The US defence officials include Pentagon spokesman John Kirby and Deputy Secretary of Defence Kathleen Hicks.</p>.<p>The list of Canadians is headed by Cameron Ahmad, who serves as director of communications to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Canadian Special Operations Forces Commander Steve Boivin.</p>.<p>Russia had earlier banned Facebook and Instagram, which form part of Zuckerberg's Meta empire, calling them "extremist" organisations.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>
<p>Russia on Thursday slapped travel bans on US Vice President Kamala Harris, Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg and dozens of prominent Americans and Canadians in retaliation for sanctions imposed over Ukraine.</p>.<p>The Russian foreign ministry said the travel restrictions on 29 Americans and 61 Canadians -- which also includes defence officials, business leaders and journalists from both countries -- would remain in effect indefinitely.</p>.<p>The foreign ministry said the list was comprised of people responsible for the two countries' "Russophobic" policies.</p>.<p>In Washington, one of the officials targeted, State Department spokesman Ned Price, said that the travel ban was "an honour."</p>.<p>"I have to say it is nothing less than an accolade to have earned the ire of a government that lies to its own people, brutalises its neighbours and seeks to create a world where freedom and liberty are put on the run and, if they had their way, extinguished," Price told reporters.</p>.<p>Asked if he had to cancel any travel plans to Russia, Price quipped: "Fortunately I had no rubles and even if I did they would be worthless by now anyway."</p>.<p>The United States has led international efforts to impose sweeping sanctions on Russia over its military operation in Ukraine, causing tumult in its economy.</p>.<p>The United States and European Union has personally sanctioned a number of Russians including President Vladimir Putin, his daughters and oligarchs seen as crucial to the Russian leader's power.</p>.<p>Other Americans banned Thursday by Russia include ABC News television presenter George Stephanopoulos, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius and the Russia-focused Meduza news site's editor Kevin Rothrock.</p>.<p>The US defence officials include Pentagon spokesman John Kirby and Deputy Secretary of Defence Kathleen Hicks.</p>.<p>The list of Canadians is headed by Cameron Ahmad, who serves as director of communications to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Canadian Special Operations Forces Commander Steve Boivin.</p>.<p>Russia had earlier banned Facebook and Instagram, which form part of Zuckerberg's Meta empire, calling them "extremist" organisations.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>