Zakharova - Warning for Russian citizens traveling abroad - SUBTITLES

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Briefing by the official representative of the Russian MFA M.V. Zakharova, Moscow, December 11, 2024.

TEXT:
Given the escalating confrontation in Russian-US relations, which are balancing on the verge of rupture through the fault of the official Washington, travelling to the United States either for personal or professional reasons are fraught with significant risks.

We have repeatedly discussed this issue and provided specific examples to support our arguments. In addition to the extremely strict and discriminatory visa application process for Russian citizens, who are often forced to travel to third countries to obtain permission to enter the United States, with no guarantee of success and non-refundable fees if denied, our compatriots have long been targeted by US authorities, particularly the special services.

Recently, a fraudulent scheme has been increasingly employed to lure Russian citizens abroad in cases when the US authorities have certain claims against these individuals, including politically motivated ones. These claims are classified in various ways but are not publicly disclosed.

How does this “luring” work? Invitations are extended under the pretence of attractive commercial or tourist opportunities, followed by the detention of targeted Russian citizens and their transfer to US jurisdiction under extradition agreements. The full list of countries cooperating with the United States in extradition matters can be found on the website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

We strongly urge you to avoid travelling to the United States and its allied satellite states, including Canada and, with few exceptions, the countries of the European Union, unless absolutely necessary, especially during the upcoming holidays.

While abroad, it is important to steer clear of situations where you could fall victim to provocation or face detention under the pretext of allegedly violating local laws.

If you notice signs of specific interest in you, such as proposals to meet and discuss some vague “terms of cooperation” or job offers promising “generous compensation,” remember the cases of Russian citizens who later ended up in US prisons. Many of these individuals travelled to the United States for negotiations on supposedly “lucrative” contracts, as certain American representatives told them. We had to fight for many years to secure the release of these people.

Consider all potential risks carefully. If the attention shown to Russian citizens by the Americans appears suspicious or overtly persistent, it may be wise to break off these contacts, revise your travel plans and return home.

We have always said and reaffirm this now: The Russian Federation’s diplomatic and consular missions in the United States and other countries will, as before, render maximum assistance in protecting the rights of Russian compatriots, who have found themselves in a difficult situation.

In the current situation, particularly in view of the convulsive actions on the part of the Biden regime that still occupies the White House, actions we are witnessing today, it is necessary (I want to say and stress this once again) to compare risks.

People ought to weigh all “pros” and “cons” and calculate the risks of traveling abroad to avoid tragic incidents, where the US punitive justice leaves no chance of a fair trial, churning out mind-boggling prison terms of 15 and occasionally 25 years. Naturally, I am not referring to nations that are friendly to Russia.