German minister urges not to travel to Russia

German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann categorically warns against traveling to Russia after the large prisoner exchange that took place last week.

According to Yevropeiska Pravda, the minister said this in an interview with Stern, as cited by dpa.

He noted that no one has felt safe in Russia for a long time.

"And I strongly advise against traveling to a country where no one is safe unless absolutely necessary," Bushmann said.

He also added that he could not refute fears that Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin may seize more foreigners to "create more political prisoners."

Commenting on the recent exchange itself, Bushmann noted that he had doubted until the very last that Russia would fulfill its end of the bargain.

Even when the plane with the released prisoners landed at the Cologne/Bonn airport, the German side was not sure, he added.

The minister said that the Russian FSB often uses poison "in order to directly or indirectly harm people's lives or health" in a malicious manner.

"That was my biggest concern - that Russia had poisoned them (the prisoners - Ed.) before the flight. But according to what we know so far, thank God that's not the case," Bushmann added.

Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 06/08/2024