She issued a warning, stating, “We urge you to avoid traveling to the United States and its allied satellite states, including, primarily, Canada and, with some exceptions, European Union countries, during this holiday season.”
Russia-US relations are at a historic low, possibly worse than during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, when both countries were on the brink of nuclear war, due to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
In light of this, Russia has warned its citizens against visiting the United States, citing the confrontational nature of relations with Washington and the potential risk of being “hunted” by American authorities.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered the warning during a news briefing on Wednesday.
“Travels to the United States, whether for personal or official reasons, carry serious risks,” she said, describing US-Russia relations as “on the verge of rupture.”
She also advised against traveling to Canada and US-allied countries in the European Union, adding, “We urge you to avoid trips to the United States and its allied satellite states, especially Canada, and, with a few exceptions, EU countries, during the holiday season.”
In a similar move, the US has issued a travel advisory for its citizens, cautioning them to avoid Russia due to the potential risk of “harassment or detention by Russian security officials.”
Since the war began in February 2022, the US has provided Ukraine with $62 billion in military aid. The situation escalated further last month when the US authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles deep within Russian territory. This decision marked a pivotal moment in the conflict, prompting Moscow to lower its nuclear threshold.
Additionally, the US has now extended a $20 billion loan to Ukraine, which President Biden stated “will be repaid through the interest generated from immobilized Russian sovereign assets.”
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“These loans will support the people of Ukraine as they defend and rebuild their country. Our efforts make it clear: tyrants will be held accountable for the damage they cause,” he added.
The White House maintains that its support for Ukraine is in defense of its own interests, while Russia argues that the US is using Ukraine as a tool to weaken and eventually destroy Russia.
