Their names, together with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, CIA chief William Burns, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and others, were included on a list of 13 individuals banned by Russia in response to sanctions imposed by Washington on Russian officials. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was also named.
But the foreign ministry said it was maintaining official relations with Washington and if necessary would make sure that high-level contacts with the people on the list could take place, Reuters reported.
The ban comes in response to US government sanctions imposed against Russian officials.
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