I'm an American in Moscow. I've been perfectly welcomed.
You will find that you get the best response by being discreet about your political beliefs, whether you feel positively about Putin or not. Particularly if you are in the bigger cities, you will find that there are people on both sides of the fence politically. Many Russians don't like Putin. Many do. You're better off just not going down that road unless you speak Russian well enough to be able to articulate yourself clearly, and even THEN it's a rather difficult subject.
I do speak Russian to a reasonable degree, and have an obvious accent. Whenever I've been asked where I'm from, I tell people the truth and have never gotten a bad response. I wouldn't go parading around Red Square with Old Glory, but, I mean, I wouldn't do that in front of Buckingham Palace, either. If you want to come to Russia and you don't speak Russian, I highly suggest at least learning the Russian alphabet beforehand, as not everything is Latinized (notably the Metro in Moscow, which DOES have some Latinized stickers inside of the carriages, but NOT on signs in the actual metro itself). St. Petersburg is a little more up-and-up on the English alphabet.
If you want to meet women, I would suggest going on a website that is specifically geared for Western men to meet Eastern European women. (Important Distinction: I am not talking about a "mail order" bride. I mean a meetup site. There are plenty of these.) This way, you will far increase your chances since you will be working with women who are already interested.
If you just go to Russia and try to get women, you are going to come across a few problems: a) the language barrier. Eastern Europe is not so much like Western Europe, where most people speak English. Expect that most Russians you meet won't, and b) suspicious attitudes not unlike what Anna basically embodies above. With a combination of these things, striking up romance is highly unlikely unless you plan for it. If you can meet somebody you're potentially interested in online (make SURE you are using a reputable service) and then meet for coffee/tea in Moscow or whatnot, this would be ideal. Be prepared to drop a lot of money. Old-school courtship between men and women is very alive in Russia, and nice dates in Moscow ain't cheap. Do not plan on going out on a date and splitting the check. I also would not expect sex. Clubs you'll probably be fine in, but be aware that many have "face control," so if you're not rockin' a 10 out of 10, you probably won't be able to get into the top venues.
Overall, though, you'll be fine. I haven't had problems, and I live here.
Go to other subcategories and ask whether Eastern Europeans/Russians are welcome in North America. I bet 90% of answers would contain tons of russophobic cr*p promoted by your media for decades (mafia, gold diggers, commies blah-blah). Now do answer yourself how do you think an average Russian can feel after being bashed that way for such a long time? For no reason?
You could save your "precious" time and omit that whitewashed part about "culture, landscape" and our President. We don't like sex tourists. Heaping praise on those things won't help you to get a mentally healthy girl/woman into bed. You'll look pathetic to say the least.
I've been polite to all adequate Western tourists here in Kiev, in my second hometown St Petersburg, Karelia, Crimea and Moscow many years. Nowadays I prefer to pretend I don't speak English and hence can't help them "with directions". The primitive way most of them used to get me talking was offensive anyway since that fake pseudo-gentlemanliness was too obvious.
Rus' women are not that dumb, so you can "love" our country as much as you want - we will see through you much faster than you think.
Your physical health is not something to worry about. But don't be surprised if people ignore or don't want to talk with you (it has nothing to do with politics: Russians are not so hopelessly politicized as some Westerners are). "Explore" on your own.
If your purpose is sex tourism, you will be disappointed. We are perfectly aware of this kind of perverts and no one decent woman is going to waste her time with you. If you are looking for prostitutes - I'm sure you can find some in your town too.
If you are going as regular tourist, then, unless you can read signs in Russian and can speak at least some language, go with tourist group.
As for being American, unless you come to teach locals how to live, you are welcomed. Otherwise (if you are not invited for that purpose) expect some adventures.
Contrary to what you assume, Russians are more advanced than Americans and would not judge individual Americans by the dastardly actions of the U.S. government. They know the average person does not want trade embargoes and financial barriers and will overlook that the U.S .is provoking Russia and is very hostile toward Russia because Russia is a competitor that the U.S. wants to eliminate.
It depends on you, how people will treat you. Until, you'll remember that you will in other country with other traditions, customs, mores. But who violate this, will feel troubles.
I am Polish, and every Russian I have met talks about how much they hate America.... so I don't know it probably all depends
no
according to this link, due to the worsening relations between USA and RF, sanctions, etc,
This year, there were 30 to 50 % less of tourists from UK and USA
You are in no danger. No one is gong to attack you. We are a civilized Europeans -not some African nation, fighting over gold mines.
you will be ok, just remember they have laws as well, do not do nothing stupid, like walk the strees at night with beer.
You are really out of touch with reality.
