“Estonia joins Poland’s initiative and will ban all Russian airlines from using our airspace,” Economy Minister Taavi Aas said in Tallinn on Saturday, according to a radio report. A corresponding draft resolution is already being prepared. Romania also decided to take this step.
Latvia and Lithuania also want to close the airspace for Russian planes. “All sanctions and restrictions work much more successfully when they are far-reaching and comprehensive. That is why Latvia is coordinating with the other Baltic states on this matter,” said Latvian Transport Minister Talis Linkaits. According to his Lithuanian colleague Marius Skuodis, the airspace of the three Baltic states should be closed at the same time.
“Another fundamental decision is on the way,” Prime Minister Kaja Kallas commented on Facebook about the move by the Baltic EU and NATO country. “Poland and the Czech Republic have already done so, and we urge all European Union countries to do the same. The planes of a pariah state have no place in the skies of democracies,” she wrote.
Romania also decided to close its airspace to Russian airlines. The executive task force under Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca (Liberal Party/PNL) decided on Saturday afternoon, government spokesman Dan Carbunaru said afterwards. For his part, Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu said that this was following the example of numerous other EU countries – for “all flying machines of the airlines of the Russian Federation” a “ban on overflights, take-off and landing” would also apply in Romania from now on; corresponding draft resolutions are already being prepared.
In Austria, as of yesterday afternoon, no such measures were planned at the national level, the climate protection ministry said on Friday.
Meanwhile, Russia restricted its airspace to Bulgaria, Poland and the Czech Republic. Aircraft from these countries would now need a special permit if they want to fly over Russian territory, the aviation authority said in Moscow on Saturday. This is a reaction to “unfriendly decisions by these countries”. Earlier this week, Russia banned all British airlines from its airspace in retaliation for London’s ban on Russian airline Aeroflot flying to the UK.
After months of troop deployment on the borders with Ukraine, Russia launched an offensive with ground troops and airstrikes across the country on Thursday. “The brutal attack by the Putin regime on democracy and freedom in Ukraine is unforgivable,” Kallas wrote. “The West must isolate Russia both economically and politically.” Aas also emphasized: “Europe must be united and resolute in its reaction.”
Source: Nachrichten
