Overview
- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova advised Russians to forgo trips to Germany unless absolutely necessary, reiterating guidance first posted in December.
- Moscow alleges German customs at airports seize personal items and cash from Russians and levy heavy fines for supposed sanctions evasion.
- The ministry also accuses German banks of restricting services for Russian clients and subjecting them to continual checks.
- The warning explicitly addresses Russians living in Germany on both permanent and temporary bases, not only short-term visitors.
- Germany has enforced sanctions over Russia’s war in Ukraine, including trade bans, while Russia has tightened controls on foreigners from so-called unfriendly states.