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The European Union is shutting down its airspace to Russian planes and – in what’s a primary for the bloc – will begin delivery arms to Ukraine.
The president of the European Fee, Ursula von der Leyen, introduced a raft of additional measures concentrating on Vladimir Putin’s regime – together with a ban on state-owned media Russia Immediately and Sputnik.
“First, we’re shutting down the EU airspace for Russian-owned, Russian registered or Russian-controlled plane,” she stated in an announcement from Brussels.
“They will not be capable of land in, take off or overfly the territory of the EU, together with the personal jets of oligarchs.”
Ms von der Leyen stated the EU would additionally “ban the Kremlin’s media machine” and fund arms provides to Ukraine, which is a step by no means taken earlier than by the bloc.
Comply with stay updates: Ukraine says ‘4,300 Russian troops have been killed or injured’
Ban on Russian state-backed media
Talking lower than 24 hours after she introduced Western allies had agreed to chop choose Russian banks from monetary messaging system SWIFT, Ms von der Leyen introduced an EU-wide ban on RT and Sputnik.
“The state-owned Russia Immediately and Sputnik, and their subsidiaries, will now not be capable of unfold their lies to justify Putin’s warfare,” she stated.
“We’re growing instruments to ban their poisonous and dangerous disinformation in Europe.”
Europe shuts airspace to Russia
A lot of Europe has successfully moved to close their airspace to Russian plane in a transfer to stress Mr Putin into ending his invasion of Ukraine.
The UK, Poland, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Romania closed their airspace to Russian airways – as did Baltic international locations Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
Nordic international locations Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland have additionally made related bulletins.
Canada has additionally stated it has shut its airspace to Russian plane.
A spokesperson for Canada’s transport minister stated whereas there aren’t any direct flights between Russia and Canada, a number of Russian flights cross by means of Canadian airspace every day.
The EU’s transfer represents a significant escalation in the usage of the tactic.
Key developments within the Ukraine disaster:
• Putin orders nuclear deterrent forces to be placed on excessive alert
• Zelenskyy: Ukraine and Russia to carry talks at Belarus border
• Ukraine claims management of key metropolis Kharkiv after fierce clashes
• Overseas secretary warns battle may final ‘years’
• BP to dump its stake in state-owned Russian oil big Rosneft
Moscow retaliation anticipated
Russia is anticipated to retaliate additional in opposition to the air blockades.
Moscow has already responded to the sooner European airspace bans with its personal guidelines barring flights from Britain, Bulgaria, and Poland.
Mr Putin cited Western sanctions as an excuse for ordering his navy command to place Russia’s nuclear deterrent forces on excessive alert.
How will the EU’s announcement have an effect on flights?
Specialists have warned that with out entry to Russia’s airways, carriers must divert flights south whereas avoiding areas of rigidity within the Center East – a transfer that may add vital time and price.
The closure of European airspace to Russian airways and vice versa has had instant results on international aviation.
Air France has stated it’s quickly suspending flights to and from China, Korea and Japan, whereas it “research flight plan choices to keep away from Russian airspace, in compliance with French and worldwide authorities’ directives”.
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