The Russian Foreign Ministry has warned its citizens against traveling to Germany, citing instances of harassment and unjustified persecution on national grounds. According to Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Russians have faced repeated incidents of unfair treatment by German authorities under the pretext of EU sanctions imposed over the Ukraine conflict.
Zakharova noted that the restrictions extend to goods purchased for personal use within the EU, with German customs officials seizing items from Russian citizens as they leave the country. Purchases worth over $300 are affected, leading to bureaucratic delays and financial losses. In some cases, individuals have missed their flights and been forced to buy new tickets. The Russian government has raised these incidents with German authorities but has not received a response.
Public figures have also reported mistreatment. Sergey Semak, head coach of Zenit St. Petersburg, and his wife Anna publicly complained after they were fined for a pair of shoes, glasses and a scarf bought in Germany. Zakharova has urged Russian citizens to refrain from traveling to Germany unless absolutely necessary, describing the country as having become a “de facto lawless territory” for people of Russian nationality.
Germany has been a key supporter of Ukraine in the EU, providing nearly €44 billion in aid since the escalation of the conflict in February 2022. Russian authorities have rejected claims that they harbor aggressive plans against the EU, arguing that such allegations are made by Western politicians to distract the public from domestic issues and justify increased military spending. The situation underscores the ongoing tensions between Russia and Germany, with significant implications for international relations and travel. As the conflict in Ukraine continues, it remains uncertain how the situation will develop and what impact it will have on Russian citizens traveling to Germany.
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