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USA calls on its citizens to leave Russia "immediately"

With just days to go before the one-year anniversary of Putin's invasion of Ukraine, the nation has issued a new travel alert.

Moscow, Russia .

Moscú / Cordon Press.

Published by
Rosana Rábago Sainz

The United States issued a new travel alert regarding Russia. In it, the nation asks its citizens to leave the country "immediately." According to Europa Press, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow advised Americans "not to travel" to the Putin-led country due to the "unpredictable consequences of the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine:" "U.S. citizens residing or travelling in Russia should depart immediately. They are also advised to exercise increased caution due to the risk of wrongful detentions. Do not travel to Russia," reads the alert issued by the institution.

In a week, it will be one year since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. And countries are aware of this. Therefore, the embassy alerted American travelers that taking a trip to Russia now means risking "potential harassment" and "arrests" as well as "arbitrary enforcement of local law."

Russian security services have arrested U.S. citizens on spurious charges, singled out U.S. citizens in Russia for detention and harassment, denied them fair and transparent treatment, and convicted them in secret trials or without presenting credible evidence.

The dangers of traveling to Russia

On the other hand, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow stated that it has a "limited capacity to assist U.S. citizens in Russia." According to the institution in the alert, its intervention in the country is limited, only, to intervene in the event of the "possibility of terrorism:"

The U.S. government’s ability to provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens in Russia is severely limited, particularly in areas far from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, due to Russian government limitations on travel for embassy personnel and staffing, and the ongoing suspension of operations, including consular services, at U.S. consulates.

In addition, the diplomatic delegation warned Americans residing in, or, traveling to the region, of the inherent problems with travel and access to bank accounts being detected by some citizens:

U.S. citizens should note that U.S. credit and debit cards no longer work in Russia, and options to electronically transfer funds from the United States are extremely limited due to sanctions imposed on Russian banks. There are reports of cash shortages within Russia. Commercial flight options are extremely limited and are often unavailable on short notice. If you wish to depart Russia, you should make independent arrangements as soon as possible.
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