28 Oct 2019 10:09

Ambassador urges travelers to exercise caution amid Russophobic atmosphere in United States

WASHINGTON DC. Oct 28 (Interfax) - Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov has urged Russian citizens planning to visit the U.S. to exercise caution.

"Of course, I have to say that every Russian traveling to the United States should be extremely careful," Antonov said in the Bolshaya Igra program of Channel One.

"There is Russophobic atmosphere in the United States nowadays," Antonov said.

"I agree with the American politicians who say we sometimes see witch hunting here, in the U.S.," he said.

About 100 Russian citizens are currently incarcerated in the United States, the ambassador said, referring to various sources.

"I think that the case of Maria Butina, same as many other cases of Russian compatriots, was fabricated, fake. I do not think Maria would have been treated so harshly if she had not been a citizen of Russia," Antonov said.