I'm a seasoned traveler and I've been to Russia four times. I'm American. I am a bit concerned about the current political situation between our countries and specifically regarding the American citizen detained in Russia. I would like to know if the experts here think Russia is safe to visit for an American. And I would also like to extend that same question regarding Turkey since it is a big hub and common stopping point for flights to Eurasia.
Turkey for brits. Istanbul seemed ok. Lots of black moustaches and aks . November 2018
The only downside currently with Russia is the longer K1 fiance visa time. For example, in Ukraine if your application is ready and your paperwork complete, you can schedule an interview in Kiev in 2 days, maybe a week at most. In Russia, the Moscow embassy currently has no interview slots for the next 3 months.
But that is current situation. In a year, or more, when things go well and you are ready for a fiance visa, it may improve.
I am a pretty cautious guy and would not consider Russia if I had any military or high security clearance background. However, I have neither so I didn't hesitate in getting a 3 year multi entry visa when I was considering a Russian woman last year.
I'm a seasoned traveler and I've been to Russia four times. I'm American. I am a bit concerned about the current political situation between our countries and specifically regarding the American citizen detained in Russia. I would like to know if the experts here think Russia is safe to visit for an American. And I would also like to extend that same question regarding Turkey since it is a big hub and common stopping point for flights to Eurasia.
MOSCOW -- Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine detained in Moscow on spy charges, was given a flash drive containing a “state secret,” his lawyer said Tuesday, delivering the first official details in a mysterious case that has been wrapped in silence for weeks.
Whelan, 48, who also holds British, Canadian and Irish citizenship, was arrested by Russian security services in late December, during what his family said was a personal trip to the Russian capital. He was later charged with the relatively broad crime of espionage.
Speaking in a Moscow court, his lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov told reporters, “How he got [the flash drive], what he was supposed to do with it, and whether Whelan knew that he had secret information is unknown.”
Avoid being in possession of a flash drive containing Russian state secrets and you'll be fine.
Whelan’s arrest came shortly after Maria Butina, a Russian gun rights activist, pleaded guilty to conspiring to infiltrate conservative U.S. circles. The timing has sparked suspicions that Russia may have detained Whelan to negotiate another swap.
Of course it is safe if you really came for the bride. You do not live in Russia, and go to visit. For tourists, Russia is hospitable. Just the bride must choose a decent one. And sorry for my English, if something is wrong.
even the stray dogs and babushki with their short legs rush across when the traffic light turns.Reminds of what I saw in Rio de Janeiro a long time ago: a large dog crossing the wide, 3-lane Avenida Atlantica was hit by a passing car; although obviously hurt, it dashed on 3 legs to the safety island in the middle, knowing it had no chances of survival remaining where it had been hit ;).
Reminds of what I saw in Rio de Janeiro a long time ago: a large dog crossing the wide, 3-lane Avenida Atlantica was hit by a passing car; although obviously hurt, it dashed on 3 legs to the safety island in the middle, knowing it had no chances of survival remaining where it had been hit ;).
With regard to safety, she will grab your hand to pull you when crossing the wide boulevards common in the large cities.
Many also warned me about women who would try to seduce me.
I asked for a list.
Well Daniloff (arrested in 1986) didn't have a military background and nor does the American pastor that was arrested in Izmir Turkey in 2016. This is all rather disturbing.
What a story! Typical story of the old soviet time! My ex wife lost her grand father also, he was a ranked soldier.
Daniloff has Russian ancestors who were directly a part of the Russian military command in World War I and then the Russian Red Army. His great-great grandfather was implicated in the failed February uprising against the Tsar. So the Russians always looked upon him, as they do with anyone whose family leaves Russia for a Western home, with a great deal of mistrust. Daniloff was an easy target since he was already packing and preparing to leave his Moscow post. Thus it was an easy arrest to make a point to Washington.
In 2001 we were spending the weekend at the dacha of the Minister (now retired) who served as Communications Director during Putin's first term. At lunch, served outdoors on a patio, a visitor to the home told me that he had written a manuscript regarding electric theory and wanted me to see that it got to the West for publication. That in itself was odd as the days of sneaking novels and journals out of Russia was fading away.
I know nothing about electricity and he flipped thru dozens of pages with diagrams and drawings. I explained that the USA uses a different current and questioned the value of such a book in the West. He insisted and stood at the table to reach across and put it in my hands. I have never seen Mrs M move so fast! She was seated at another table and in a flash intercepted any attempted exchange and in the strongest of terms told the man to leave me alone
She grabbed me and we walked away to a nearby fishing pond and the first thing she asked was whether I had touched it. Did you leave fingerprints, she wanted to know? No, you were there before I could even think of taking it, was my reply.
Oddly, about a year earlier I had attended a refresher seminar at the Embassy about safety, and accepting packages/materials was one of the topics. She knew first hand of the dangers as her father, a Soviet diplomat in the Middle East had returned with the family to Russia. He was followed/watched/bugged for several years before being reassigned to to a new post in the Russian Embassy in London. The Soviets struggled to trust returning diplomats, fearing that they had been compromised.
The family never made it to London--a week before his travel date his office crew at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow took him out for drinks to celebrate his new diplomatic posting. He never came home alive and his case was sealed for years. The cause of death was listed as a brain aneurysm.
Just a few years ago, approximately 50 years after his death, my MIL was allowed to see the archives and the autopsy report showed that he had been poisoned. No investigation and no charges--just swept under the rug and locked in archives. We can speculate, but there are no real answers as to why.
All that being said, I still have a great love for the country (без Путина) and many of the people. Keep your nose clean, don't do anything stupid, don't be loud or drunk, don't talk politics at all, and don't photo the police--especially if they are beating the shit out of undocumented arrivals fresh off the trains from places like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, etc.As a teenager i used to live in some corrupted country of north Africa with a king.The same advices apply in such type of country also.
Go, enjoy yourself.
I’m sure mob will agree that Southern Russia is far too dangerous for foreigners to visit. It’s a hostile environment, full of unattractive and very agressive women...my advice is to stay well clear!! 😉