Following Finland, Germany and the Czech Republic advised their citizens not to travel to Russia

The authorities of Germany and the Czech Republic have advised their citizens not to travel to Russia. According to Reuters, citing the text of the countries’ statements, foreigners in the Russian Federation may encounter difficulties in paying for goods and services with foreign bank cards.

The ministries also advised caution.

Earlier, the Finnish Foreign Ministry recommended that citizens avoid any travel to Russia and called on citizens to immediately leave the Belgorod, Voronezh and Rostov regions, which are located near the Russian-Ukrainian border. Those who are delayed in the Russian Federation are advised by the authorities to be especially careful in traffic jams, subways, train stations and airports, and to avoid demonstrations.

Recall, on February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin made an emergency appeal to the Russians and announced a special military operation in the Donbass. In his speech, he stated that “circumstances require decisive action from Russia” and stressed that “Russia will not allow Ukraine to have nuclear weapons.” In response to Russia’s actions, Western countries (USA, Canada, European Union, Great Britain, Japan) announced new, tougher sanctions against the Russian Federation, including financial and economic ones. A number of European countries have imposed bans on the flights of Russian aircraft, including Austria, Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Poland, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, France and North Macedonia, Canada, Spain, Portugal. A little later, the head of the European Commission announced that the EU would close airspace for all Russian aircraft, including private ones.