DISINFO: Western civil aviation sanctions are illegitimate
SUMMARY
The West’s civil aviation sanctions against Russia are a blatant disregard for international law. They are illegitimate.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about sanctions.
This claim was made in the context of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s cancelling his visit to Serbia after Bulgaria, Montenegro and North Macedonia closed their airspace to his aircraft.
Restrictive measures imposed by the European Union in February 2022 after Russia started its invasion of Ukraine comply with international and European law. They are developed in such a way as to minimise adverse consequences for those not responsible for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. These sanctions were designed to be proportionate to the objectives they seek to achieve. These objectives are the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and the restoration of its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
As part of these sanctions, the EU refused access to EU airports for Russian carriers of all kinds and banned them from overflying EU airspace. Aeroplanes registered in Russia or elsewhere and leased or rented to a Russian citizen or entity cannot land at any EU airports and cannot fly over EU countries.
Earlier in June 2022, Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Montenegro closed their airspace to the plane that would have carried Lavrov on a visit to Serbia.
The West imposed initial sanctions on Moscow right after it illegally annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea and unleashed war in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas. The sanctions have been intensifying with time. They will be lifted as soon as Russia stops its aggressive policy towards its neighbours and respects international law.
Read more narratives about international sanctions and see our guide to deciphering pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's war.