Moscow Requests Resumption of Direct Russia-U.S. Flights

Moscow has asked its U.S. counterparts to consider reopening U.S. airspace to Russian aircraft and restoring direct flights between the two countries, according to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.

The request was made during a bilateral meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, on Thursday, where both nations discussed their diplomatic missions. The Russian Ministry emphasized that the talks focused on ways to overcome numerous "irritants" inherited from previous U.S. administrations.

"The emphasis was particularly placed on the need to achieve practical results that create conditions for improving bilateral relations in the interest of the peoples of both countries. Specifically, the U.S. side was invited to consider the possibility of restoring direct air traffic," the official statement said.

Ukraine’s allies, including the U.S., Canada, the European Union, and other Western countries, banned Russian aircraft from entering their airspace shortly after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In retaliation, Russia closed its airspace to dozens of countries, although by that time, most Western airlines had already suspended flights over Russia.

A statement issued by the U.S. after the Istanbul meeting noted that both countries had “constructive discussions,” but it did not specifically mention Russia’s request to resume direct flights.