Russia Faces EU Resistance on Lifting Flight Sanctions

Russia is pressuring the U.S. to lift aviation sanctions and allow Aeroflot and other carriers to resume flights to American destinations as part of a potential Ukraine ceasefire deal. However, the effort is hitting strong resistance from the European Union, which raises both political and safety concerns, The Gaze reports, citing Politico.

“EU sanctions stand firm against Russia, which includes a ban on Russian airlines flying over EU airspace,” a European Commission official told reporters, warning of “major safety and security issues.”

Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russian airlines have been barred from EU and U.S. skies and denied access to spare parts from Boeing and Airbus. Experts warn that many Russian planes now likely rely on counterfeit or uncertified parts, raising questions about airworthiness.

 “Allowing these aircraft to operate commercially in Europe is not only unsafe but also risks introducing counterfeit parts into the Union,” said Sander Starreveld of SIG Aviation.

Beyond safety concerns, many aircraft in Russia’s fleet were leased from Western firms and could be seized if they enter EU territory. “Some aircraft could be seized immediately upon landing,” Starreveld added.

While the Trump administration has not eased aviation restrictions, the Kremlin sees a potential opening after Robert Agee, head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia, publicly called for lifting sanctions in the aviation sector, calling it a “humanitarian necessity.”

Any move to relax sanctions on Russian aviation could put pressure on the EU to follow, as European airlines continue to face longer and more expensive routes to Asia due to Russian airspace restrictions.

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