Russia is ready to close the sky for Ukraine

The minister of transport of Russia Maxim Sokolov, making comments on intentions of Ukraine to close the sky for the Russian carriers "Aeroflot" and "Transaero", declared that the authorities of our country will be compelled to take mirror measures if Kiev decides on a similar step. The representative of the Russian department emphasized that it will actually lead to a stop of air traffic between the countries.

"From mass media today we knew about intention of the government of Yatsenyuk to forbid flights of Aeroflot and Transaero airlines in the territory of Ukraine. If these intentions are realized in real documents of the aviaauthorities of Ukraine which will close air space for the Russian companies, the Russian authorities will be compelled to take mirror measures", – Sokolova quotes RIA Novosti news agency.

The representative of the ministry added that in this situation, to this step Moscow is compelled by actions of Kiev. "We understand that it will actually lead to a stop of air traffic between the countries. Citizens of Ukraine also will suffer from it, first of all. But, I will emphasize that in the developed situation, to this step the Russian side is compelled by actions of the Ukrainian authorities", – the head of transport department added.

Meanwhile, the airline "International airlines of Ukraine" (MAU) which is the largest air carrier of the country, is afraid of mirror sanctions from Russia communication with a ban to the Aeroflot and Transaero companies to carry out flights to Ukraine. The representative of the Ukrainian company Evgenia Satskaya emphasized that these measures endanger MAU work.

"We the most pessimistic in connection with these (sanctions – the Comment, an edition) because it is unclear why forbade to fly to only two companies Russian, and another have no expectation? It is clear that we expect predictable, absolutely logical mirror measures from the Russian Federation. It is clear that MAU as the largest airline, in a zone of the sharpest risk", – explained Satsky.