Washington: The American government which is not trusting any promise of Russia, mainly after US imposed sanctions against Russia, has issued a travel advisory to its citizens that Russia could “exclude and detain US citizens in Russia”.

It has again suggested that US citizens avoid travelling to Russia till further advisory. The US said that the reason behind giving this advice is because of the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces.

The US government believes that Russia is harassing US citizens living in Russia. The American government has advised its citizens not to travel to Russia, and those living in Russia to leave the country as early as possible.

The advisory has been issued after a US diplomat was able to meet detained basketball star Brittany Griner, who has been held in Russian custody for more than a month.

Griner who is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion was detained at Moscow airport on February 17 for allegedly carrying wipe cartridges that contained cannabis oil in his luggage.

After being caught, he was immediately placed in a detention centre, and last week a Russian court extended his arrest to May 19. He faced up to 10 years in prison.

Relations between Moscow and the West have been souring after Russia launched a war against Ukraine over a month ago.

 US President Joe Biden’s administration has led the Western response to the invasion, imposing unprecedented sanctions against Moscow and providing weapons and aid to Kyiv.