The Russian Foreign Ministry has issued a stark advisory urging its citizens to refrain from non-essential travel to the United States and allied countries, citing escalating risks due to the deteriorating relationship between Moscow and Washington.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova cautioned that Russian nationals could face targeted actions by American authorities, particularly the U.S. intelligence community. She alleged the use of "fraudulent schemes" by Washington to lure Russians abroad, where they are subsequently prosecuted on "politically motivated charges."
Heightened Risks for Russians Abroad
“Traveling to the US carries serious risks due to the increasing confrontation in Russian-American relations,” Zakharova warned, adding that Russians are being "hunted down" by U.S. authorities under the guise of legal violations.
“For the upcoming holidays and beyond, we strongly recommend avoiding non-emergency visits to the US, Canada, and most European Union countries,” she added. Zakharova also urged Russian citizens to remain vigilant abroad and avoid situations that might lead to detentions, alleging that the U.S. justice system offers no guarantee of a fair trial.
Historical Context and High-Profile Cases
The Foreign Ministry’s warning comes amid heightened tensions between the two nations, fueled by the conflict in Ukraine and longstanding accusations of Washington weaponizing its justice system against Russian nationals.
Several high-profile cases have underscored these tensions. Businessman Viktor Bout and pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko were both imprisoned in the U.S. before being released in prisoner swaps in 2022. Activist and journalist Maria Butina, convicted in 2018 for failing to register as a foreign agent, spent nearly 120 days in U.S. custody before being deported to Russia.
More recently, Russian nationals extradited from European countries have faced similar fates. Vadim Konoshchenok was arrested in Estonia on a U.S. warrant, while Vladislav Klyushin was extradited from Switzerland in 2021.
Broader Implications
The advisory also highlighted incidents involving American citizens detained in Russia, such as Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, both convicted of espionage. These cases have become focal points of the strained diplomatic relations, further complicating bilateral ties.
The Russian Foreign Ministry’s statement serves as a stark reminder of the geopolitical tensions shaping global travel and legal risks, urging its citizens to carefully weigh the potential consequences of international travel to hostile territories.
.png)
The opinions posted here do not belong to 🔰www.indiansdaily.com. The author is solely responsible for the opinions.
As per the IT policy of the Central Government, insults against an individual, community, religion or country, defamatory and inflammatory remarks, obscene and vulgar language are punishable offenses. Legal action will be taken for such expressions of opinion.