Hopefully, U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez had no plans to summer in Moscow this year as he's been banned from Russia.
Menendez was one of six federal lawmakers who along with a number of advisors to President Obama were banned from Russia in retaliation for U.S. economic sanctions imposed by the president. The president announced the sanctions today over what he called the "illegitimate" annexation of Crimea by the Russians.
In addition to Menendez, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker John Boehner and Sens. Mary Landrieu, Daniel Coats and John McCain were banned along with Obama advisors Caroline Atkinson, Daniel Pfeiffer, and Benjamin Rhodes.
In a statement, Menendez had tough words for the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.
If standing up for the Ukrainian people, their freedom, their hard earned democracy and sovereignty means I'm sanctioned by Putin, so be it.
"President Putin's military invasion and annexation of Crimea is brutal, totally unacceptable, and sadly returns us to a period of Cold War aggression and hostility," Menendez, who is chairman of the powerful Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said in a statement. "It doesn't have to be this way but, if standing up for the Ukrainian people, their freedom, their hard earned democracy and sovereignty means I'm sanctioned by Putin, so be it."
McCain also released a statement on his ban.
"I guess this means my spring break in Siberia is off, my Gazprom stock is lost, and my secret bank account in Moscow is frozen," he said in the statement posted to his website. "Nonetheless, I will never cease my efforts on behalf of the freedom, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including Crimea."
Coats also joked about his inclusion on the Russian's list.
"While I'm disappointed that I won't be able to go on vacation with my family in Siberia this summer, I am honored to be on this list," said Coats in a statement to Slate. "Putin's recent aggression is unacceptable, and America must join with our European allies to isolate and punish Russia. I will continue to lead efforts on Capitol Hill to bring Putin to his senses."
