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 been subjected to 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, resulting in bureaucratic delays and financial losses for those affected. In some cases, individuals have missed their flights and been forced to purchase new tickets.
The Russian government has addressed these incidents with German authorities but has not received a response. Public figures, including the head coach of Zenit St. Petersburg football club, Sergey Semak, have also reported being mistreated. Semak’s wife, Anna, recently took to social media to express her frustration after the couple was fined for a pair of shoes, glasses, and a scarf purchased in Germany.
Zakharova has urged Russian citizens to refrain from traveling to Germany unless absolutely necessary, citing the country’s “de facto transformation into a ‘lawless territory'” for people of Russian nationality. Germany has been a key supporter of Ukraine in the EU, providing the country with nearly €44 billion in aid since the escalation of the conflict in February 2022.
The Russian authorities have rejected claims of harboring aggressive plans against the EU, stating that such allegations are made by Western politicians to distract the public from domestic issues and justify increased military spending. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between Russia and Germany, with significant implications for international relations and travel. As the conflict in Ukraine continues, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what impact it will have on Russian citizens traveling to Germany.
