Putin outraged by West's lack of reaction to Ukraine's warning about Russian skies
Russian ruler Vladimir Putin criticized Western partners of Ukraine for their failure to condemn Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement about the growing danger of flights in Russian airspace. The President of Ukraine separately stressed that Kyiv does not threaten civilian aircraft, and the warning is related to the expansion of Ukrainian drone operations against military and war-related targets in Russia.
Putin said he considers the Ukrainian warnings as a threat to civil aviation and believes they allegedly complicate the possibilities for peaceful negotiations.
He also accused Ukraine's Western allies, who did not condemn Kyiv's statements. According to the Russian ruler, those who "remain silent" and do not react to what is happening allegedly become "accomplices of international terrorism".
In addition, Putin linked this topic with recent Ukrainian actions against Russian vessels, calling the strikes and arrests of ships, as well as the warning about the flight danger, manifestations of "state terrorism".
What Zelenskyy actually said
The reason for the Kremlin's reaction was Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address of September 1. The President of Ukraine warned airlines, insurers, and users of Russian airports that Russian airspace is becoming increasingly dangerous due to the war.
At the same time, Zelenskyy directly stated that Ukraine does not threaten civil aviation and does not intend to attack civilian aircraft.
The President explained the warning by the fact that the scale of the use of Ukrainian drones over the territory of Russia will increase. According to him, airlines that continue to use Russian airspace should take this into account.
“Ukraine does not threaten civil aviation as such, nor any civilian aircraft,” — Zelenskyy emphasized.
He noted that Ukrainian strikes are aimed at Russian military facilities and at the part of the Russian economy that serves the war against Ukraine. Kyiv considers such operations as the implementation of the right to self-defense.
Zelenskyy also stated that the Russian authorities do not sufficiently inform the population and airspace users about the emerging risks. According to him, the war started by Russia is itself leading to the gradual closure of Russian skies.
Ukraine officially warned international organizations
On September 2, Kyiv reported that the warning about risks to civil aviation was delivered at the international level. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Ukraine officially informed the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) about the situation in Russian airspace.
The Ukrainian side associates the increase in risks with the intensity of military activity and the growing number of drones over Russian territory.
On the same day, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is receiving information about the first airlines that began refusing flights to Russian airports after the warning about the drone danger. He called such a reaction logical from the point of view of protecting passengers' lives.
At the same time, Kyiv signaled that if necessary it is ready to take diplomatic agreements into account. Zelenskyy previously noted that at the request of partners, Ukraine may, for a certain time and in certain directions, stop drone operations if it is necessary for diplomatic contacts.
Thus, the Russian side interprets Kyiv's statement as a threat to civilian aircraft, while Ukraine's official position is to warn carriers about risks arising from the war and Ukrainian strikes on targets on Russian territory.
Based on materials from: TASS, European Pravda, Office of the President of Ukraine
