U.S. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut says the Russian government denied him a visa to enter the country as part of a bipartisan congressional delegation.
In a statement, Murphy said the Russian government is further isolating itself by blocking his visit, and said it’s a shame Russia isn’t interested in dialogue.
Murphy has criticized the Russian government, and supports sanctions over its interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who planned to accompany Murphy on the trip, said he was also denied a visa.
The Russian embassy said in a statement Johnson didn’t apply for a visa at their embassy and didn’t inform them about his plan to visit Russia. The embassy didn’t comment on Murphy’s rejection.
