The European Union announced on Sunday that it would close the bloc’s airspace to Russian aircraft, including private jets, an unprecedented move aimed at pressuring President Vladimir Putin to end the invasion of Ukraine.
The information was provided by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
“First, we are closing EU airspace to Russian-owned, Russian-registered or Russian-controlled aircraft. They will not be able to land, take off or fly over EU territory,” he said. “This is a turning point for our Union.”
In his speech, von der Leyen also said that the EU will ban Russian state media in the bloc, that sanctions will also be applied to Belarus, a dictatorship allied with Moscow, and that the EU will finance for the first time the purchase and delivery of weapons to Ukraine. .
Before the bloc’s formal decision, at least 18 European countries had already announced the closure of airspace, in addition to Canada. The measures affect flights operated by Russian companies Aeroflot and S7.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo was tough in justifying the measure.
“Belgium has decided to close its airspace to all Russian airlines. European skies are open to those who connect people, not to those who seek to brutally assault,” he wrote on social media.
In Canada, the announcement was made by Valerie Glazer, communications director at the Ministry of Transport.
“The government prohibits the operation in Canadian airspace of aircraft owned, chartered or operated by Russian interests,” Glazer said. She explained that there are no direct flights between Russia and Canada, but several Russian flights pass through Canadian airspace daily.
With the restrictions, a wide veto zone is formed for Russian air traffic in Europe, which implies huge deviations from the route for planes.
