Moscow Urges Russians to Avoid Travel to the US and EU, Citing Detention Risks

Maria Zakharova, the official spokesperson for Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned that travel to the United States poses significant risks due to actions by American authorities.

She advised Russian citizens to avoid traveling to the US and its allied nations, including Canada and most EU countries, unless absolutely necessary.

"In the context of escalating tensions in Russian-American relations, teetering on the brink of a rupture due to Washington’s actions, private or official travel to the United States carries significant risks," Zakharova stated during a briefing, RIA Novosti  reported.

She noted that Russian citizens have become targets for US authorities and intelligence agencies, highlighting the risk of detention.

"We strongly urge everyone, both during these holiday days and beyond, to refrain from traveling to the United States and its allied satellite states, including Canada and, with few exceptions, European Union countries, unless absolutely necessary due to extraordinary circumstances," Zakharova added.

Recently, on December 3, the FBI accused Russian national Nomma Zarubina, previously recognized as a decolonization expert, of working with Russian intelligence agencies to sway US-based experts and officials.

In November, Ukraine was granted the green light to use US missiles to target Russian territory.

On November 19, Putin approved an updated nuclear doctrine for Russia. The revised Fundamentals of State Nuclear Deterrence Policy affirms Russia's right to use nuclear weapons in response to attacks involving weapons of mass destruction against itself or its allies. It also permits the use of nuclear weapons in the face of conventional military aggression targeting Russia or Belarus.