Following the arrest of Evan Gershkovich, the American journalist for The Wall Street Journal, many US citizens refuse to leave Russia despite favorable calls from Washington. In this respect writer WSJ.
“A few people refused to give interviews or preferred to speak anonymously about their reasons for staying in Russia. Others, however, are determined to stay in the country because they feel safe and at home there, despite mounting tensions between Washington and Moscow.
The newspaper draws attention to the fact that Americans remained in Russia despite Western sanctions, which made life difficult for them. We are talking about the inability to use bank cards issued in the United States on the territory of Russia, the restriction of foreign currency transfers abroad and the difficulties in the registration procedure.
The publication cites the opinions of several US citizens living in Russia and emphasizes that they feel quite comfortable. But they also act within the framework of a kind of self-censorship: they avoid discussing the special operation in Ukraine, they do not write comments about it on social networks. Some WSJ interlocutors admitted that they try not to speak English loudly in the street so as not to draw unnecessary attention to themselves.
Daniel Mesta, a 27-year-old South Carolina native who is a student at the European University in St. Petersburg, said he feels safe in Russia.
“My desire to be here, my love for St. Petersburg, and my faith in Russia and Russians as good people is stronger than my fear or dissatisfaction with any idea I may or may not have,” he said.
He also admitted that he is now trying to be more careful when expressing his views. He explained this by not wanting to take any risks before his thesis defense in June.
Another American living in the Far East told the newspaper that it is more difficult for foreigners to obtain temporary residency registration in Russia. And he fears losing it or facing administrative hurdles.
“If you do something wrong, the registration can be cancelled. my life is here. I don’t want to be kicked out of the house,” said the man.
WSJ quotes the story of 48-year-old blogger Joseph Rose. He arrived in Russia in February last year, a week before the start of the special operation in Ukraine. His wife is Russian, he has not been in his hometown for almost ten years, so the family decided to change the country. Rose rented her Florida home, rented a new apartment in Moscow, and enrolled her two sons in college.
“At first I thought I had made the wrong decision. He was worried, but he kept moving forward. I was born in America in 1974 and grew up believing that Russia is a bad place where bad guys live. But now I feel the opposite. Russia is like the West in many ways. and in some ways even better,” admitted the immigrant.
According to him, after the outbreak of the armed conflict, his life did not change, although he avoided discussing the SVO.
“I know there is another point of view. I personally don’t express my position on this. I don’t think I know enough to be an expert on this subject and express my opinion,” Rose said.
He also expressed concern that the US government might impose some form of sanctions on US citizens who refuse to leave Russia.
The FSB detained Evan Gershkovich in Yekaterinburg on March 29. He was taken to Moscow, where he was accused of espionage. According to researchers, in the Urals, the WSJ journalist collected information about the enterprises of the military-industrial complex. Gershkovich himself denies guilt, believing that the Washington newspaper employee was arrested illegally.
After this incident, the White House officially recommended that US citizens living in Russia leave the country. The Russian Foreign Ministry also said that Russia accepts both Americans and other foreigners as long as they do not violate the law. Moscow stressed that the arrest of Gershkovich will not affect the work of foreign journalists in Russia, they continue to be granted accreditation.