Russia announced on Tuesday that it would ban 25 more Americans, including Jill and Ashley Biden, the wife and daughter of US President Joe Biden, saying they were in response to US sanctions.

The list also includes Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, other senators like Charles Grassley, Kirsten Gillibrand and Susan Collins, and college professors like Francis Fukuyama.

The United States has sanctioned members of Vladimir Putin's family, including his two daughters, and the Russian president himself. Mr. Biden is banned from Russia.

The West and the Russians have been exchanging sanctions and counter-sanctions for years, but these retaliatory measures have accelerated since Russia launched a major armed offensive against its Ukrainian neighbor.

The expulsion of diplomats, trade restrictions and opposing officials declared persona non grata are among the many measures imposed by each side on the other.