European Union bans Russia from using airspace of member countries

Brussels: – Western countries that have sanctioned Russia following the attack on Ukraine seem to be sharpening the edge of those restrictions. The European Union announced that Russia would not be permitted to use the airspace of European countries. At the same time, broadcast of the Russian news agencies and channels has been banned in Europe. Sanctions have also been imposed against Belarus, which assisted Russia in the Ukraine attack.

Moreover, Western countries started announcing sanctions against Russia, one after the other after Russia launched the attack on Ukraine. Initial targets were the Russian banks and close associates of President Putin. The scope of sanctions has started increasing and other sectors and transactions in Russia are also being targeted. The announcement made by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, also is a part of the same actions.

Furthermore, von der Leyen has announced fresh sanctions against Russia. She said that the airspace of all European Union member countries is being closed for Russian airplanes. These even include the private planes of Russian entrepreneurs. Besides, the channel broadcast, forming a part of the Russian propaganda machinery, have also been banned. Broadcast of Russia Today and Sputnik and the ventures linked to them have been banned. Henceforth, the Russian channels will not be able to spread the misinformation given by their President. The EC Chief also declared that new harsh sanctions would be imposed against Belarus, who assisted Russia in the Ukraine attack.

While imposing sanctions against Russia, the European Union took significant decisions to assist Ukraine. The European Union has started a new independent initiative under the ‘European Peace Facility’. Arms assistance and military training facilities will be made available under this. A provision of 5.5 billion Euros has been made for this. At the same time, the immigrants coming from Ukraine will be granted asylum under special schemes for the next three years. It will be binding on all the European Union member countries to give asylum to Ukrainian immigrants.

Russia has replied to the sanctions imposed by Europe and has banned European companies and airplanes from using the Russian airspace. At the same time, the process of repatriation of Russian citizens from European countries has also started. A Russian agency published a statement in this regard. It is said that the Russian citizens in the European countries have been instructed to contact the Russian embassy in the respective countries.