Russia sanctions Biden, Secretary of State Blinken

Russia has sanctioned President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and several other administration officials in retaliation for U.S. sanctions on Russian banks, oligarchs and commodities over Moscow's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, per Bloomberg News. .

Why it matters: The sanctions, while largely symbolic and expected, still mark an escalation in hostilities between the U.S. and Russia.

The sanctions would prohibit travel and freeze any assets held in Russia but not prevent high-level talks if they are planned, Bloomberg reported.

Russia also sanctioned Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley,...