Russian Airspace May Be Closed In Response To Western Sanctions

[Purveyor]

Source: Independent UK

Kashmira Gander Author Biography
Monday 08 September 2014

Russia has suggested that it may ban Western airlines from flying over its territory, in what it has called an “asymmetrical” response to new EU sanctions over the crisis in Ukraine.

Calling sanctions “stupid”, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev blamed the West for damaging the Russian economy and said Moscow aimed to reduce the nation’s reliance on imports – starting with increasing the output of domestic airliners.

Russia has been too patient amidst the worst confrontation with the West since the Cold War, and should have retaliated more strongly over attempts by the US and EU to punish Moscow for its role in Ukraine, Medvedev suggested.

He added Russia may decide to only allow the airlines of "friendly countries" to fly in its airspace.


Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russian-airspace-may-be-closed-in-response-to-western-sanctions-9718897.html

[sharp_stick]

1. At least then

they may not shoot down anymore airliners.

[earthside]

2. And when in the past decade have they done that?

The Ukraine-Russia dispute is really not much of our business.

We, i.e., the United States, ought to leave this alone, in my estimation.

[karynnj]

4. Actually, it is - there were agreements with the US when they gave up all

their Soviet era nuclear weapons. Nunn/Lugar was the bill that helped the US purchase those weapons that were then destroyed. Both the agreement and Nunn/Lugar were bipartisan US policy at that time. (The continuation of Nunn/Lugar passed in 2008 was Obama/Lugar. )

[earthside]

8. Indeed, our involvement makes CTR more difficult.

The Europeans, Ukrainians and Russians need to work out their disputes -- although our (the U.S. and NATO's) sneaky efforts to create a pro-NATO Ukraine is key to the conflict.

Cooperative Threat Reduction is going nowhere as long as the U.S. tries to unduly influence developments in Ukraine.

[ColesCountyDem]

9. 'Sneaky efforts'?

The fact that we would prefer a pro-Western Ukraine hardly qualifies as 'sneaky efforts'. Why would we NOT prefer one?

[newfie11]

5. +infinity

We should not get into this!!!

[pampango]

7. What Ukraine does is not much of anyone's business - other than Ukrainians.

If Canada or Mexico wants to sign a trade deal with the EU, it is none of our business. (Actually, Mexico and the EU signed a trade agreement in 1997 with apparently little adverse reaction from the US.)

If Ukraine wants to sign a trade deal with the EU, it is none of our (or anyone else's) business.

[DFW]

6. Took the words out of my mouth

Let them shoot down some Chinese planes instead.

[karynnj]

3. Maybe they need to rethink the "asymmetrical" point. I assume that Russian flights transverse NATO

Just as avoiding the land mass of Russia would have an impact on European flights, the same would be true of Russian flights if the air space of all NATO countries are closed to them.

[Sunlei]

10. Crimea tourist industry has already crashed. Only tourists there are low lvl Russian officials.

One Russian tourist said, "It was strongly suggested to take this years vacation in Crimea"

At this point Russia is already afraid of defections by any official with the means to get out on 'Vacation' and not come back.

Putin knows the next sanction coming is banning Russians travel to outside 'free countries'. Russian citizens better get used to 'vacation' in China and NK. I don't think Russian citizens will believe Putin much longer, and want to 'go back' to the old soviet days.

[newthinking]

12. Listening to propaganda I see

The comment you mention was a campaign that Russia put on. Airlines offered some discount tickets this summer.

Yes tourism in Crimea is down. The shift will take time and also because in June there were long queues on the ferries at Kerch. Some interested people held off and postponed. But the ferry system was increased and there is no longer a very long wait.

Resort areas are used to going through cycles. I went to Hawaii some years ago when it was in the midst of a deep slump. People were not making money hand over fist but they were ok.

That is the way I would describe Crimea at the moment. It is actually doing pretty well as there has been investment flowing in. Real Estate prices have not even dropped. A western "grade" hotel that got $150 a night last year were going around $75, but that is still a very good profit margin considering cost of living and expenses there, so I really doubt the resorts are hurting much.

[Sunlei]

13. direct interviews with people.Crimea has lost their international tourist industry & is now russia

Russias people, the low level officials are not free to vacation wherever they wish. and are less free as time goes on. There is no comparison to Hawaii.

[snooper2]

14. That is some awesome spin, you ever think about working for a news agency?

RT has a branch in the US right?

[W T F]

11. That's fine. Western retaliation will prohibit Russian aircraft over the Americas...

and Europe as well. Good luck with that.

[geek tragedy]

15. So Russians would need to drive anywhere

if they wanted to travel abroad. Brilliant.

[Blue_Tires]

16. With today's air alliances and codeshares?

Good luck with THAT shit....

Russia is just blowing hot air and they know it...