European nations tighten US travel advisories amid detentions

Several European countries have updated their travel advisories for the United States this week following the detention of multiple European nationals, including German citizens, upon arrival.

Germany's Foreign Office said it is taking the recent incidents involving German travelers seriously.

It has been clarified that an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval or a U.S. visa does not, in every case, authorize entry into the United States, a spokesperson told public broadcaster ARD's Tagesschau.

The advisory update follows reports of three German nationals being detained at U.S. entry points, including one green card holder. Two of the individuals have since returned to Germany.

In response to the incidents, Britain also revised its travel advice, warning of strict enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. People may be liable to arrest or detention if breaking the rules, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said on Thursday.

Britain's foreign office confirmed earlier this month that it was providing support to a British national reportedly detained at the border in the United States.

Finland issued a similar update on Friday, cautioning that even valid travel documents might not guarantee entry under current U.S. policies. The Finnish Foreign Ministry also noted recent changes requiring visa or ESTA applicants to declare both their gender and gender at birth, which could result in denied entry if inconsistencies are found.

Additionally, Finnish authorities warned travelers to avoid large gatherings in major U.S. cities, citing the risk of politically motivated demonstrations turning violent.

Furthermore, French officials have recently disclosed that a French researcher who went to the United States for a meeting was found by U.S. border agents to have chat messages criticizing U.S. government policies when entering the country. As a result, his equipment was confiscated, and he was banned from entering the country, and was deported the next day.

European nations tighten US travel advisories amid detentions

European nations tighten US travel advisories amid detentions

Russia and the United States have agreed to ensure the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, provided that sanctions were eased on Russia's agricultural and food trade, the Kremlin said Tuesday.

The Kremlin said the agreement includes ensuring the safety of navigation in the Black Sea, the non-use of force, and preventing commercial ships from being used for military purposes, with inspections in place to enforce this.

It also added that the United States will help in restoring Russia's access to global markets for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lowering shipping insurance costs, and improving access to ports and international payment systems.

The agreement will enter into force after a series of sanctions and restrictions related to its agricultural and food trade were lifted, the Kremlin noted.

The move would include lifting Western sanctions on the Russian Agricultural Bank, which services agricultural businesses, and reconnecting the bank to the SWIFT international messaging system.

Russia has also listed in the conditions the removal of restrictions on its food and fertilizer producers and exporters, on the servicing of related Russian-flagged vessels in ports, and on the related agricultural machinery supplies to Russia.

The Kremlin statement came after Russian and U.S. representatives wrapped up their Monday's talks in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, where both sides sought arrangements for the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.

Russia and Ukraine signed separately with Türkiye and the United Nations the Black Sea Grain Initiative in Istanbul in July 2022, which secured the export of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products from Black Sea ports.

As a parallel agreement, Russia and the UN signed a memorandum of understanding on the facilitation of Russian food and fertilizer exports.

On July 17, 2023, Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea deal, citing unfulfilled commitments to the Russian part.

Kremlin says Russia, U.S. agree to ensure implementing Black Sea initiative