Russia Warns Citizen: Avoid Travel to the U.S. and Western Allies Amid Tense Relations

According to reports by Al Jazeera on Wednesday, Russia has warned its citizens to avoid traveling to the U.S. and its Western allies. The Russian government claimed that Russian nationals could face arrest or become targets in these countries.

The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, stated during a press conference that visiting the United States, whether for personal or official reasons, carries significant risks. She described U.S.-Russia relations as being “on the brink of collapse.” Zakharova referred to the European Union, Canada, and other U.S. allies as “satellite states” of the U.S., advising Russian citizens to refrain from traveling to these countries.

The U.S. has similarly cautioned its citizens against traveling to Russia, warning of potential harassment, detention, and arbitrary law enforcement by Russian authorities.

Experts assess that relations between the two countries have deteriorated to their lowest point since the onset of the Ukraine conflict. The U.S. has emerged as Ukraine’s largest supporter, providing sixty-two billion dollars in military aid. The U.S. recently approved Ukraine’s use of long-range tactical missiles capable of striking Russian territory. Al Jazeera asserted that this decision had provoked an intense backlash from Russia and raised concerns about the potential escalation to nuclear warfare.

Russia has also voiced strong opposition to the twenty billion dollars in U.S. support that is backed by profits from seized Russian assets.

In a rare moment of cooperation amid the tensions, a prisoner exchange took place in August, facilitated by Western countries and Turkey. This led to the release of individuals detained by Russia and the U.S. The U.S. returned several Russians who had been imprisoned on charges related to hacking and cyber-attacks.

Analysts draw parallels between the current diplomatic situation and the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, suggesting that U.S.-Russia relations may be at their most strained since the Cold War standoff.