The Russian Foreign Ministry is urging Russian citizens to refrain from traveling to Germany unless absolutely necessary, said spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
She made this comment after cases in which, according to German law enforcement agencies, Russians violated sanctions. As an example, Zakharova cited an incident that occurred at Stuttgart airport, where German customs officers confiscated personal belongings and cash from a Russian woman, citing a violation of sanctions regulations.
Zakharova claims that German authorities use this method not only against "ordinary citizens", but also against "public figures". In support of her claims, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson cited the detention of Sergei Semak, head coach of St. Petersburg's Zenit, and his wife Anna at Munich airport. Semak himself said that they were forced to pay a fine "for a pair of shoes, glasses and a scarf" and leave all their belongings purchased in the EU.
“Such cases are far from isolated. Germany has de facto become a lawless territory for people of a certain nationality, in this case people from Russia, citizens of our country, ethnic Russians“, Zakharova concluded.
EU countries have tightened customs regulations in response to the Russian army's invasion of Ukraine. In line with European sanctions, the export of luxury goods from the EU to Russia worth more than 300 euros per item has been banned since March 2022. These include clothing, shoes, cosmetics and electronics. The ban does not apply to goods needed for “official purposes” for diplomatic missions in Russia, international organizations and their employees.