Moscow invites Kiev to start dialogue on resuming flights between Russia and Ukraine
Russia is ready to begin talks with Ukraine with regard to the resumption of flights between the two countries, as stated by the Russian Transport Minister, Maxim Sokolov, RIA Novosti reported.
“Because of the crucial decisions that were recently made regarding the personnel policy of cooperating with Ukraine, there is some hope. I personally have hope. Negotiations are still under way, even though our position is open. In the current situation, it is mutually beneficial to unlock the existing position either completely, or just in some areas of cooperation such as transit or bilateral traffic between the capitals. We are ready to move forward in any available direction,” Sokolov said.
When asked whether flights between Russia and Ukraine could be resumed this year, he responded that “it depends more on Ukraine. We are ready to resume discussions on any of the identified issues as a whole or incrementally”.
Flights between the two countries stopped at 00:00 on the 25th of October due to sanctions imposed against the airlines. Minsk Airport offers connecting flights.
The decision to ban the flights of Russian airlines in Ukraine was adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers on the 25th of September. Ukraine imposed sanctions against 29 Russian airlines, of which 27 have illegally carried out flights to Crimea. They also imposed sanctions against two Ukrainian companies that have been illegally nationalized in Crimea.