In an extraordinarily strong travel advisory, the US State Department warned all Americans that if they travel to Russia, they could be detained by security officials there. In light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, “the potential for harassment of US citizens” by Russian security services has increased, as has the targeted detention of US citizens, the ministry said late on Tuesday (local time).
“All US citizens residing or traveling in Russia must leave the country immediately,” the travel notice said. Relations between Russia and the United States are currently at a low point. More recently, US President Joe Biden called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “dictator” during a speech in Warsaw over the weekend and concluded with the words: “For God’s sake, this man cannot remain in power.” . The White House immediately emphasized that this was not a call to overthrow Putin. In Russia, Biden’s statement sparked outrage. (apa)