The reality of Russian travel for Canadians in current political climate

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Rising political tensions between Moscow and many Western nations have already prompted a travel advisory for British citizens in Russia, who are being warned of the possibility of anti-UK sentiment and harassment.

Michael Geller is an architect and planner from Vancouver, who has worked and travelled in Russia on and off for the past four years.

While he admits he’ll be using his Canadian passport — not his British one — for his next trip, he’s not afraid of anti-Western backlash from working professionals or everyday citizens.

“My advice would be to not read up on the news — to ignore it — because in all likelihood none of that will impact their stay,” Geller tells NEWS 1130.

“I have been invited to Kaliningrad to speak at a major conference on the 18th of May. I did have a thought at the moment about the strife. I confess I won’t be using my British passport for this trip, but I think once you get there — just as what Trudeau or Trump might be saying doesn’t really impact the average citizen — what Putin might be saying wouldn’t necessarily affect [professionals there].”

Diplomatic expulsions in response to the poisoning of a spy and his daughter on British soil — being blamed on Moscow — are spreading with over 130 Russians told to leave the UK, Britain, many European nations and other countries.

The Russian government has promised a “tough response” and Geller wonders what will will happen as the country hosts soccer’s World Cup this summer, already facing state snubs from the UK and six other nations.

“The whole world is concerned with what appears to be happening — especially between Great Britain and Russia — especially in light of the fact Russia was hoping that the whole world would be coming to a number of different cities, not just Moscow but Rostov, Kazan, Kaliningrad and all these other cities, that for the last five years have been preparing for the World Cup,” he says.

Ottawa has posted an advisory for Canadians in Russia, recommending travellers exercise a “high degree of caution,” but it is for crime and the threat of terrorism in certain regions, not the current political tensions.

Geller suggests travellers take the usual precautions, but not worry too much.

“I think whether it’s Russia or any other country, you almost have to separate what you hear on the news for what might be your experience when your there dealing with ordinary professionals who are just living their day-to-day existence.”