Relations between Russia and the US are at an all-time low, and probably worse than they have been since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, the closest both countries came to deliberate nuclear war, due to the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.
Russia has warned its citizens not to visit the US as relations with Washington are confrontational, claiming they could risk being “hounded” by US authorities.
Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned in a news briefing on Wednesday.
“Travel to the United States of America, privately or out of official necessity, carries serious risks,” she said, describing US-Russia relations as “on the brink of rupture.”
She further warned to avoid travel to Canada and the US allies in the European Union, saying: “We urge you to continue to refrain from travel to the United States of America and its allied satellite states, including first place Canada and, with some exceptions, countries of the European Union, during these holidays.”
Similarly, the US has also sent a notice to its citizens about avoiding travel in Russia, stating that “they may face harassment or detention by Russian security officials.”
The US has supported Ukraine with $62 billion in military aid since the war began in February 2022. Further escalating the issue, the US last month allowed Ukraine to deploy long-range missiles deep into Russia. This became a turning point in the war and this move led Moscow to lower its nuclear threshold.
In addition, the US has now given Ukraine a $20 billion loan, which President Biden said will be “repaid with interest earned on immobilized Russian state assets.”
“These loans will support the Ukrainian people in the defense and reconstruction of their country. And our efforts make it clear: tyrants will be responsible for the damage they cause,” he added.
In any case, the White House argues that it is only protecting its own interests by supplying weapons to Ukraine, while Russia says the US is only using Ukraine to weaken and ultimately destroy Russia.
