Latvia has blacklisted Russian pop stars Valeriya, Joseph Kobzon and Oleg Gazmanov for their stance on the situation in Ukraine, the Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry said Monday.
The ministry said in a statement that the three stars "through their words and actions have contributed to the undermining of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics tweeted on Saturday that "apologists of imperialism and aggression" would be denied entry into the country for the New Wave festival held in the seaside resort town of Jurmala from July 22 to 27.
Kobson, known as the Russian Frank Sinatra, has reportedly been denied entry into the U.S. since 1995, when his visa was revoked because of suspected ties to the mafia.
See also:
Latvia to Raise Defense Spending in Light of Russia's Actions in Ukraine
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