The State Department has issued a travel warning warning that Moscow “can distinguish and detain American citizens in Russia” and has reiterated previous warnings that Americans should not travel to the country.
The warning was “due to the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces“As well as the potential harassment of U.S. citizens by Russian authorities, said the travel notice, which reiterated calls for Americans traveling or living in Russia to leave” immediately. “
It comes days after an American diplomat was able to do so visit arrested basketball star Brittney Grinerwho has been in Russian prison for more than a month.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion, was arrested at a Moscow airport on February 17 on charges of carrying vaporizer cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage.
After being arrested, Griner was immediately admitted to a detention center and last week a Russian court extended her detention until May 19. He faces up to 10 years in prison.
The arrest came as relations between Moscow and the West hit rock bottom with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Biden administration has led the Western response to the invasion, imposing unprecedented sanctions on Moscow and channeling weapons and aid to Kyiv.
The State Department’s warning warned that “U.S. citizens should be aware that U.S. credit and debit cards no longer work in Russia, and the options for transferring funds electronically from the United States are extremely limited as a result of sanctions imposed on Russian banks.There are reports of cash shortages in Russia.
“Limited options for commercial flights and ground routes by car and bus are still open and available. If you want to leave Russia, you should make arrangements on your own as soon as possible. The US embassy has severe restrictions on their ability to help American citizens, and conditions, including transportation options, may be even more limited suddenly. “Emergency on arrival may contact a US embassy or consulate in that country.”
- In:
- War
- Ukraine
- Russia
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