Obama among 500 banned from Russia in retaliation for US sanctions

Moscow also denied consular access to detained journalist as US imposes more punitive measures in response to Ukraine invasion

Russia’s foreign ministry has said former President Barack Obama is among 500 US citizens who will be banned in response to the latest round of sanctions announced by Washington.

The ministry also said on Friday that Russia had refused the latest US request for consular access to the detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested in March on suspicion of spying.