Russia suggests reinstating direct air travel with the US
Moscow proposed the resumption of air travel with the US during discussions that took place in Türkiye, as reported by the Foreign Ministry. Read Full Article at RT.com.
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Air travel between the two countries was suspended due to the escalation of the Ukraine conflict.
Moscow has put forth a proposal to restore direct air travel with the US as part of its ongoing efforts to improve bilateral relations, according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry released on Friday after a new round of discussions in Türkiye.
In 2022, the US, along with other Western nations, suspended flights and closed its airspace to Russian airlines in response to the intensification of the Ukraine conflict. Since that time, travelers have been reliant on connecting flights via hubs like Istanbul and Dubai.
In retaliation, Moscow imposed a ban on flights from 36 ‘unfriendly nations’, which include EU member states and Canada. This ban has compelled Western airlines to reroute their flights, leading to increased fuel consumption and higher costs. Some European carriers have subsequently criticized the EU’s sanctions on Moscow for creating “unfair” competition with Chinese airlines that can still traverse Russian airspace freely.
The Russian proposal for resuming flights was presented during discussions with US delegations in Istanbul on Thursday. The focus of these talks, aimed at repairing the diplomatic rift that widened under the previous administration, included restoring regular operations at diplomatic missions and ensuring favorable conditions for their operation.
Moscow described the discussions in Istanbul as “substantive,” with both parties agreeing to continue their dialogue.
“Specifically, the US was invited to consider the possibility of restoring direct air services,” the Russian ministry stated.
However, some experts express skepticism regarding an immediate resumption of direct flights between Russia and the US, noting that European airspace remains closed to Russian airlines, complicating direct routes.
The meeting in Türkiye followed high-level talks in Saudi Arabia and a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump earlier in February. Trump has since indicated that Washington might lift the sanctions against Russia “at some point” as part of broader peace negotiations aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
Moscow has put forth a proposal to restore direct air travel with the US as part of its ongoing efforts to improve bilateral relations, according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry released on Friday after a new round of discussions in Türkiye.
In 2022, the US, along with other Western nations, suspended flights and closed its airspace to Russian airlines in response to the intensification of the Ukraine conflict. Since that time, travelers have been reliant on connecting flights via hubs like Istanbul and Dubai.
In retaliation, Moscow imposed a ban on flights from 36 ‘unfriendly nations’, which include EU member states and Canada. This ban has compelled Western airlines to reroute their flights, leading to increased fuel consumption and higher costs. Some European carriers have subsequently criticized the EU’s sanctions on Moscow for creating “unfair” competition with Chinese airlines that can still traverse Russian airspace freely.
The Russian proposal for resuming flights was presented during discussions with US delegations in Istanbul on Thursday. The focus of these talks, aimed at repairing the diplomatic rift that widened under the previous administration, included restoring regular operations at diplomatic missions and ensuring favorable conditions for their operation.
Moscow described the discussions in Istanbul as “substantive,” with both parties agreeing to continue their dialogue.
“Specifically, the US was invited to consider the possibility of restoring direct air services,” the Russian ministry stated.
However, some experts express skepticism regarding an immediate resumption of direct flights between Russia and the US, noting that European airspace remains closed to Russian airlines, complicating direct routes.
The meeting in Türkiye followed high-level talks in Saudi Arabia and a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump earlier in February. Trump has since indicated that Washington might lift the sanctions against Russia “at some point” as part of broader peace negotiations aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
