With a global aviation meeting taking place in Montreal this week, Russia is using the opportunity to make a plea to ease sanctions on the country’s aviation sector…
In this post:
Russia wants “unlawful coercive measures” reversed
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is the United Nations’ civil aviation agency, and it’s meeting this week in Montreal. This meeting typically takes place once every three years, and is used to discuss issues impacting the entire industry.
For example, I’ve already covered how there will be discussions about the global pilot retirement age being raised to 67. However, here’s a plea that may be even more controversial, as reported by Reuters. Russia is urging the ICAO to ease sanctions on spare parts and overflights, describing the global response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “unlawful coercive measures.”
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, western sanctions have cut off the country’s access to foreign made aircraft and spare parts, creating new challenges for keeping the country’s hundreds of Airbus and Boeing jets flying.
So Russian authorities are trying to negotiate relief from these sanctions, particularly related to spare parts, arguing that these are critical for the country’s aviation sector to be safe. As Russia describes this, “the ICAO is required to take all practical measures to prevent states from applying politically biased discriminatory and coercive measures in the field of international civil aviation.” This request comes shortly after the United States has lifted sanctions on Belarusian flag carrier Belavia.
Russia is arguing that these sanctions run counter to global rules. Russia is even trying to gain election to the ICAO’s 36-state governing council, after not winning enough votes for that position in 2022.
Russia is the world’s biggest country, so as you’d expect, the aviation sector is crucially important. The country’s aviation industry has really struggled with keeping planes flying, and that’s why we’ve seen a variety of safety issues, and we’ve also seen so many planes grounded.
Something’s gotta give with sanctions, eventually
I have to be honest, I’m always torn on the merit of these types of sanctions. Personally, I believe that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was 100% unlawful and unethical, and I’m disgusted by the senseless loss of life that we’re seeing. It’s unfathomable to think just how many people have lost their lives to this war in recent years, and all this time, no progress has been made.
At the same time, Putin clearly doesn’t care about the loss of life, and years of sanctions have accomplished very little. The reality is that Russia’s aviation industry isn’t going anywhere, and the planes will keep flying, whether they have functioning parts or not.
So are we just waiting for an Airbus or Boeing plane to crash in Russia? Is that something we’re supposed to celebrate, when it inevitably happens? Personally, I value human life regardless of what nationality it is, and I also think it’s important to separate people from their governments.
I don’t have all the answers here, and I don’t know what the right approach is. I just struggle with the concept. On the one hand, you don’t want to give in to a thug like Putin, and there’s rich irony to the country being concerned about “unlawful measures,” all of a sudden. On the other hand, actions have consequences, and these sanctions will lead to aviation fatalities sooner or later, and I’m not a fan of that.
Bottom line
Russia is once again asking global regulators to lift sanctions against the country’s aviation industry, calling them “unlawful coercive measures.” Of course it’s quite amusing to hear Russia concerned about laws and norms, given the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Yes, there’s no denying that there are serious safety concerns posed by the sanctions facing the country’s aviation sector. At the same time, the easy solution is for Putin to stop his aggression against Ukraine, rather than accusing international regulators of unlawful actions.
I can’t imagine that much will come of this, but it should be quite an interesting ICAO meeting, especially with Russia trying to regain a seat on the ICAO’s 36-state governing council.
What do you make of Russia requesting aviation sanctions be eased?
Since Ukraine cannot have any safe air services, why should Russia have any? The average Russian should feel the impact and be a little worried every time they board a local flight.
Actions have consequences.. This is entirely on Russia. They are no longer even hiding the fact they have no intention to stop their aggression and view Ukraine to be Russia and thus subserviant.
No peace.... No parts..
So Ben…you don’t know the answer. I know. Russia must quit its genocidal attacks and withdraw from Ukraine.
Russia, STOP attacking UKRAINE . Oh and don't blow up airliners that fly over Ukraine. Russia claiming anything is unlawful and worrying about safety is beyond absurd. Lifting these sanctions is already in Russia's hands.
Has Israel left Palestine and Sirya? Has anyone heard about sanctions on Israel?
Didn`t USA invaded Iraq, Libya, Afganistan and many other countries? What about sanctioned USA?
All this sanctions are just a another perfect example of western duplicity and weaponizing civil aviation because of politics has nothing in common with ethic
"Personally, I value human life regardless of what nationality it is, and I also think it’s important to separate people from their governments."
All that sanctions on entire countries do is punish (and in this case, risk the lives of) innocent civilians.
Somehow I am not convinced that Russia is pleading any sanctions relief. Wonder where this info comes from.
Russian airlines are perfectly capable of maintaining Western aircraft. They know where and how to get parts, some parts they learned to produce themselves.
But even this is not that important really. The main priority of Russia now is not the sanctions lift, but development of their own domestically built aircraft and engines. They invested...
Somehow I am not convinced that Russia is pleading any sanctions relief. Wonder where this info comes from.
Russian airlines are perfectly capable of maintaining Western aircraft. They know where and how to get parts, some parts they learned to produce themselves.
But even this is not that important really. The main priority of Russia now is not the sanctions lift, but development of their own domestically built aircraft and engines. They invested in all these programs heavily, in about a decade they will fulfill their aircraft needs with domestically built planes, and forget about Boeing and Airbus.
And if the sanctions are lifted - then what? Just let Boeing back in? I don't think you'll find many takers for that in Russia.
Anrec80 - your comment is overly optimistic at best. Russia hasn't delivered a single new passenger aircraft since 2022 sanctions began (except a few Superjets from pre-stockpiled parts). The "Russified" MC-21 is 6 tons heavier, has half the range, costs double, and needs engine overhauls twice yearly. Production targets keep getting slashed - they cut MC-21 engine production from 24 to just 7 units.
Deliveries that were supposed to start in 2024 are now pushed...
Anrec80 - your comment is overly optimistic at best. Russia hasn't delivered a single new passenger aircraft since 2022 sanctions began (except a few Superjets from pre-stockpiled parts). The "Russified" MC-21 is 6 tons heavier, has half the range, costs double, and needs engine overhauls twice yearly. Production targets keep getting slashed - they cut MC-21 engine production from 24 to just 7 units.
Deliveries that were supposed to start in 2024 are now pushed to 2026. Putin's goal of 1,000 aircraft by 2030 looks increasingly unrealistic when they can't even get basic production running after 3+ years of trying.
Yes, they're building domestic aircraft, but the performance and timeline claims don't match reality.
Dude - seriously, good enough reposting this "plus 6 tons", "half the altitude", "half the range" stuff. This was written by one not so competent journalist in one not so popular newspaper, and the whole Internet just picked it up. The specs of a "Russified" MS-21 and the original one are not far from one another.
As for delays - well, who goes without delays lately? By how many years was the 787 delayed?...
Dude - seriously, good enough reposting this "plus 6 tons", "half the altitude", "half the range" stuff. This was written by one not so competent journalist in one not so popular newspaper, and the whole Internet just picked it up. The specs of a "Russified" MS-21 and the original one are not far from one another.
As for delays - well, who goes without delays lately? By how many years was the 787 delayed? Then we have 777-9 woes, 737 MAX groundings. And the latter 2 aren't clean-sheet designs even. This is a commonly happening event lately.
I follow this page its being a while and I am astonished by the writer pending towards easing sanctions on Russia for safety of aviation when Ukraine has not even a single airplane flying since 2022.
"So are we just waiting for an Airbus or Boeing plane to crash in Russia?"
Ben, unfortunately the answer to this question is yes, and we should have no moral qualms about that. Ukrainian civilians have been dying needlessly for years from a war of aggression and the point of all sanctions is to ratchet up political pressure from within Russia to stop that.
A catastrophic loss of life from an aviation accident due...
"So are we just waiting for an Airbus or Boeing plane to crash in Russia?"
Ben, unfortunately the answer to this question is yes, and we should have no moral qualms about that. Ukrainian civilians have been dying needlessly for years from a war of aggression and the point of all sanctions is to ratchet up political pressure from within Russia to stop that.
A catastrophic loss of life from an aviation accident due to sanctimonious might be the straw that breaks the camel's back.
People die in wars, including tragically civilians. Russia started this war, they could end it today if they like.
This type of chatter always reminds me of that British comedy sketch which has David Mitchell dressed in a Nazi SS uniform saying to a fellow SS officer "what if we're really the baddies" ;)
Always remember you're manipulated by your "own side" too ... they're rather good at it these days ...
Anyone attempting moral relativism between the West and Putin is only playing into Putin's hands. We are imperfect - he is malignant. Your moral relativism marks you as either a useful idiot, a fellow traveler or a collaborator.
Moronic opinion. Wow. Dont you know he stole those planes from the leasing companies!!?? Stop writing and start reading. Yikes.
Well, the EU frozen about 300B USD in Russian assets. Russia in response took the planes, among other response measures. Plus, Western investors were pressed to sell their Russian subsidiaries for pennies on the dollar.
So this is the economic war. When you are at war - you fight and not care about opinions.
The only way Putin should get airplane parts is if we can shove all the parts up Putin's ass
So sad to see nearly all of the comments, including Ben's article are so anti-Russian. Had the US not supported a coup in 2014 and installed their selected leader there would never have been this war in the first place. The west should never have accepted the overthrow of a democratically elected govt in Ukraine. Yet now they support a president whose term ended lo g ago and refuses to hold elections.
I want...
So sad to see nearly all of the comments, including Ben's article are so anti-Russian. Had the US not supported a coup in 2014 and installed their selected leader there would never have been this war in the first place. The west should never have accepted the overthrow of a democratically elected govt in Ukraine. Yet now they support a president whose term ended lo g ago and refuses to hold elections.
I want to see the war end asap but telling Putin to simply withdraw without understanding its origin is pointless.
Your maskirovka is pathetically transparent, Alan. The people of Ukraine threw off the yoke of a Moscow puppet government in 2014. The people of Ukraine - not the US. And you know it too.
The comments are anti-Putin, not anti-Russian. You know it.
Thanks for this. Alan needs to Google one word to understand the plight and righteousness of the Ukrainian cause: "holodomor"
He can't hold elections while the was is on....
Tucker Carlson, is that you???
I say double **** 'em! They started their war, let them wallow in the effects. And tell them until they pay reparations to Ukraine and the west, there will be only increasing sanctions.
Putin is the biggest piece of shit in this planet . A guy that thinks he has so much power and because of this is trying to take over another country over greed. He blames this war on nato which is a joke in it self. He’s had nato countries on his border for decades and this was never a problem. Ukraine is not in nato and even if they were trying what does this...
Putin is the biggest piece of shit in this planet . A guy that thinks he has so much power and because of this is trying to take over another country over greed. He blames this war on nato which is a joke in it self. He’s had nato countries on his border for decades and this was never a problem. Ukraine is not in nato and even if they were trying what does this matter because just about every other country that borders Russia is nato. NATO would never have invaded Russia. Russia wants Ukraine so they can get all the resources and have a border with the ocean. It’s all about greed and power. Russia thinks they can do whatever they want because they feel they are a superpower. They are not a superpower and once we get away from fossil fuels they will be a very poor country. They know this and they want Ukraine for the reasons i just stated. There army is a joke and they have no clue how to fight a war. Supposedly the third strongest military in the world. Again all a lie and a scam because that’s all Russia knows how to do. They lie to there own people everyday. How can any human being that has a brain support this. I truly believe they don’t have half the nukes they say they have because again that’s all they do is lie and try to intimidate the world. He’s distroying his own country with this war and because he’s so full of himself he won’t take a defeat. This is only going to destroy his own country more. As far as lifting sanctions on plane parts absolutely not. If they crash it’s because of his ego. No one likes to see people die but it’s his fault and he’s the only one to blame. I really can’t believe that this piece of shit hasn’t been assassinated. What type of life does this piece of shit have when that’s all he can do is hide. He dug his own grave and now has to deal with it. Russia should get no help from nobody.
Maybe after Russia withdraws from Ukraine, and admits responsibility and apologizes for shooting down MH17 and Azerbaijani 8243, then we can discuss removing sanctions. Otherwise, you want what? Letting them violate rules because they've always been good citizens?
Putin apologized for AZAL 8343. More than Reagan did after the USA shot down Iran Air 655.
Russian mole. Russia shot down the aircraft, and Putin did not did not confirm that the flight had been shot down or acknowledge Russian responsibility.
How is that significantly different from the American response after Iran Air 655?
Classic Russian bot behavior - can't defend the indefensible so immediately pivot to 'but America did X 40 years ago!'
Iran Air 655 happened in 1988 during an active naval conflict. The US paid $213 million in compensation and expressed regret. Russia? Still lying about MH17 eight years later, still blaming everyone else for AZAL 8243.
But thanks for proving the point - when you can't defend Putin's actions, you deflect to decades-old American mistakes....
Classic Russian bot behavior - can't defend the indefensible so immediately pivot to 'but America did X 40 years ago!'
Iran Air 655 happened in 1988 during an active naval conflict. The US paid $213 million in compensation and expressed regret. Russia? Still lying about MH17 eight years later, still blaming everyone else for AZAL 8243.
But thanks for proving the point - when you can't defend Putin's actions, you deflect to decades-old American mistakes. Textbook maskirovka.
Also let's not forget KAL 007
Giving Putin airplane parts would be playing directly into his hands. This is textbook hostage-taking.
Russia didn't ground its 700+ Western aircraft when sanctions hit - they stole them, re-registering hundreds of leased planes worth €10 billion. Now they're demanding parts while secretly smuggling nearly €1 billion in components through 360+ companies worldwide.
Putin is essentially saying "give me what I need for my war machine or civilians die in crashes." It's the same logic...
Giving Putin airplane parts would be playing directly into his hands. This is textbook hostage-taking.
Russia didn't ground its 700+ Western aircraft when sanctions hit - they stole them, re-registering hundreds of leased planes worth €10 billion. Now they're demanding parts while secretly smuggling nearly €1 billion in components through 360+ companies worldwide.
Putin is essentially saying "give me what I need for my war machine or civilians die in crashes." It's the same logic terrorists use. Russia can end every sanction tomorrow by withdrawing from Ukraine. Any Russian civilian who dies is a victim of Putin's choices, not Western sanctions.
We don't negotiate with hostage-takers, and civilian safety shouldn't become Putin's bargaining chip.
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-flight-dangers-sanctions-war-aviation/33323526.html
https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/russia-seeks-easing-of-aviation-sanctions-1758546475.html
https://united24media.com/world/how-russia-secretly-imported-eur1-billion-in-jet-parts-investigation-9466
Get rid of Putin, then we'll talk. It's not that difficult, Russia. You've had a revolution before. You need to do it again.
This post exposes your ignorance of how tightly restricted organized political opposition has become in countries like Turkey, Russia, Belarus and plenty of others.
False, James.
False
It might be worth mentioning the current state of Ukrainian aviation.
I look forward to the day there will be regular flights (not drones) between Kyiv and Moscow, just as today there are many nonstops from the US to Japanese and German airports. But Putin, and only Putin, can make it happen by withdrawing his troops. Maybe that's what he was told when he was allowed to fly to Anchorage. At least that plane had no concerns about spare parts.
Agreed, it's a false argument to put this responsibility in Western hands. Don't fall for Putin's schemes, hold fast!
Totally agree with Ben.
Whatever one thinks about politics, aviation safety has to stay above it. People boarding a plane in any country deserve aircraft that are properly maintained and supplied with certified parts. Limiting access to critical components doesn’t stop flights from happening—it just makes them riskier for passengers and crews who have no control over the bigger issues.
Ben’s point really hits home: ensuring safe operations isn’t the same as taking sides....
Totally agree with Ben.
Whatever one thinks about politics, aviation safety has to stay above it. People boarding a plane in any country deserve aircraft that are properly maintained and supplied with certified parts. Limiting access to critical components doesn’t stop flights from happening—it just makes them riskier for passengers and crews who have no control over the bigger issues.
Ben’s point really hits home: ensuring safe operations isn’t the same as taking sides. It’s about protecting lives and keeping global air travel standards intact, which is exactly what ICAO is supposed to safeguard.
Safe operations can be ensured very easily: Russia ends their invasion and occupation, restores Ukrainian sovereignty by returning any and all annexed territories (including Crimea), and pays reparations to the Ukrainian people. Putin can do all that with a snap of his fingers. Simple as that.
Sanctions will be reduced and the resumption of normal trade will happen. Regardless of events in Ukraine.
@Francesco de Eccher
If it's about protecting lives, then Putin can ground the airlines to protect his people. Do you care to this same extent about all the Ukrainian civilians who are dying from Russia's terror bombing campaign? Russia is intentionally targeting civilians to try and break Ukraine's will to fight. Same as Nazi Germany bombing numerous UK cities in the Blitz, same as Imperial Japan bombing Chongqing. Over 14k Ukrainian civilians have died...
@Francesco de Eccher
If it's about protecting lives, then Putin can ground the airlines to protect his people. Do you care to this same extent about all the Ukrainian civilians who are dying from Russia's terror bombing campaign? Russia is intentionally targeting civilians to try and break Ukraine's will to fight. Same as Nazi Germany bombing numerous UK cities in the Blitz, same as Imperial Japan bombing Chongqing. Over 14k Ukrainian civilians have died in the past 3 years, with another 36k maimed or injured, and it's only getting worse as China and Iran supply more and more suicide drones for Russia's terror bombing. So spare me the crocodile tears. Russians can ride the train, or they can beg for some COMACs from China. As long as Putin invading Ukraine, we have no moral or ethical reason to supply him with plane parts.
Hey Francesco de Eccher. Russia stole those planes and is actively smuggling parts while demanding sanctions relief. Putin created this safety crisis by choosing to keep flying stolen aircraft rather than grounding them.
As Russians say: "Что посе́ешь, то и пожнёшь" - what you sow, you will reap. Every unsafe flight is Putin's choice, not ours.
Absolutely the wrong approach. We actually need to ratchet the sanctions up on Russia. The easiest way for Russia to resolve this issue is to stop the war with Ukraine.
They started it, sanctions should not stop till there is peace. Don't reward Russia for killing innocent people and kidnapping children that's against everything this world stands for.!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow!! All the outrage and aggression here show Americans form opinions and make decisions solely base on the surface of current conditions. With the newly and pending mergers and consolidations in TV, movies and newspapers industries when Larry Ellison will dominate CBS, ABC, TiKTok (an outlier social media), etc...it will exacerbate the analysis paralysis and the historical indoctrination of the already notoriously ignorant Americans. You all cite and express same feelings and opinions. When was...
Wow!! All the outrage and aggression here show Americans form opinions and make decisions solely base on the surface of current conditions. With the newly and pending mergers and consolidations in TV, movies and newspapers industries when Larry Ellison will dominate CBS, ABC, TiKTok (an outlier social media), etc...it will exacerbate the analysis paralysis and the historical indoctrination of the already notoriously ignorant Americans. You all cite and express same feelings and opinions. When was the last time Americans united under one slogan? Oh yeah,
9-11-2001 as there are two 9-11 events in US history but we all know the former.
When Putin amassed troops and tanks along Ukrainian border, both the US and European took no action for a month to deter such aggression. In fact, Biden cowardly moved US embassy from Kyiv to near Moldova or Polish border to avoid confrontation with Putin. After the USSR collapsed, Ukraine gave up the world's largest nuclear arsenals in order to be a EU member. Today, it is being strung along by US and European with cheap lip service to protect it from Russia and the hope of being a EU member is DOA in all negotiations. Ukraine may be the first collateral damage in Putin's pursuit of restoring the golden USSR empire. Who can assure that Trump will not legitimize Putin in a blink of the eye?
If you believe sanctions worked, can you name any country, which is under sanction, whose government has collapsed? If you can separate the government from its population, sanctions only inflict inhumane effects on common people. Since post WWII, we export our violent culture, engage in regime change, and proliferate WMD worldwide, except Europe, in the name of national security, without facing tariffs, embargoes, sanctions and other deadly economic warfare. We will see if sanctions will work their magic two decades from now when we celebrate a century of democracy and freedom in the west. A big IF. We live in the most violent country in the western hemisphere, if not the world, that continues to reproduce an increasingly alarming population of happy triggers.
Actually, yes - sanctions have worked. South Africa is the textbook example.
International sanctions against apartheid placed "significant pressure on the government that helped to end apartheid." In 1990, President F.W. de Klerk "recognised the economic unsustainability of the burden of international sanctions" and released Nelson Mandela. When asked if sanctions helped end apartheid, Mandela replied "Oh, there is no doubt"
Your "name any country whose government collapsed" challenge misses the point entirely. Sanctions aren't...
Actually, yes - sanctions have worked. South Africa is the textbook example.
International sanctions against apartheid placed "significant pressure on the government that helped to end apartheid." In 1990, President F.W. de Klerk "recognised the economic unsustainability of the burden of international sanctions" and released Nelson Mandela. When asked if sanctions helped end apartheid, Mandela replied "Oh, there is no doubt"
Your "name any country whose government collapsed" challenge misses the point entirely. Sanctions aren't designed to cause collapse - they're designed to change behavior through economic pressure. Russia's desperate smuggling networks and these ICAO pleas prove they're working exactly as intended.
The real question isn't whether sanctions are perfect, but whether rewarding aggression with relief makes the world safer. History suggests it doesn't.
If there's one thing Ben does very well, it's engagement bait (sometimes called trolling). Yes I know this comment is feeding into that. But it's obvious that all that matters is the number on the article thumbnail showing advertisers how many comments have been left. Joke's on you, I have an adblocker on my phone and laptop.
Nobody enjoys loss of life. Trying to pin this on the west is pathetic. Putin can end all this in minutes.
Terrible take here Ben.
What an utterly appalling and short-sighted take. There is nothing to be torn about here, no nuance required, and no virtue to be had in this take - responsibility sits with one individual alone. I think some serious self-reflection is required here.
Correct, Oscar. It's Putin's fault we're here, the man's regime should have already stolen enough Western aircraft anyway.
Ben, you do this a lot. You straddle the fence. Both-sider-ism. It's almost like your method of making a living makes you incapable of seeing the world for what it is. You can't call out Trump ever, afraid your MAGA readers will leave you. Sanctions are done so the country feels the pain. Whether it's the people "in charge" or the "everyday people" is irrelevant. Russia is trying to go around the sanctions by asking...
Ben, you do this a lot. You straddle the fence. Both-sider-ism. It's almost like your method of making a living makes you incapable of seeing the world for what it is. You can't call out Trump ever, afraid your MAGA readers will leave you. Sanctions are done so the country feels the pain. Whether it's the people "in charge" or the "everyday people" is irrelevant. Russia is trying to go around the sanctions by asking for parts. What good do sanctions do if Russia does not feel the pain?
By your logic we should forbid all western business activities in Russia. Sanction other airlines for flying to Russia. Maybe stop sending them medical devices, cancer treatment drugs, etc.
Where does it stop? All in the name of making innocent people "feel the pain"? Just cruel.
Humanitarian exchanges can and should continue. That does not include spare parts for aircraft. Otherwise I agree with you - the current sanctions do not go far enough and we should absolutely be doing the first couple things you mentioned.
Classic maskirovka - put your own civilians in harm's way, then play on Western sensibilities to manipulate them into giving you what you want or it's the Western powers that are at fault. Don't play into Putin's hands.
You idiots have no idea talking about the conflict the way you do!
I guess the US, NATO UK Zelensky the clown have morning to do with it either! Get off your high horses , do some proper research & Understand the cause.
Bye the way Russian pilots are excellent airmen!
Russian mole.
Putin boot licker. Back to Moscow!
Ähm, no?! Crazy take. This is not how it works. How about we give humanitarian aid to North Korea as well. But don't worry, the West being the West, they will give concessions to Russia soon enough. For absolutely nothing in return.
We do give humanitarian aid to North Korea, as we should. Go read about it directly from the European Commission's website if you care to educate yourself.
LOL lil Putin propaganda from James here. I see you lil man
It is sad but not surprising to see ordinary Russians dehumanized like this. Incredible hypocrisy. I wonder how these same people would react if American citizens were collectively punished for the actions of their government over the years.
The American citizens will be and already are beginning to be collectively punished for what their government is doing. It’s only fair, they elected it and so many continue to stand by it. American citizens are required to defend their constitution yet they stand by and watch as it’s being ignored and torn down. Some even cheer. Let’s hope they wake up sooner rather than later.
Russian mole.
You are not even giving your all to this silly Putin propaganda you're trying to pump in here. Get a life man
Sanctions do work - that's why Russia is so desperate to have them lifted.
There's nothing to be torn about. Their decision to steal dozens of European aircraft and fly them without proper maintenance is on Russia, not us.
Exactly right. Russia's frantic smuggling networks and these ICAO pleas are proof the sanctions are working perfectly.
They could ground unsafe planes tomorrow, but instead choose to fly stolen aircraft with black market parts, then blame us when people get hurt. Classic maskirovka - create a crisis, then demand we solve it for them.
Putin made his bed with this invasion. Now he can lie in it.
but by your logic most sanctions should be lifted, as most sanctioned sectors could be deemed vital to the safety and wellbeing of people. It’s important to uphold all sanctions and to let Russians feel the consequences for their actions.
To add, why did the US lift sanctions against Belavia ? The Belarus government is a puppet of the Russian government. They support the invasion of Ukraine and arm it. They also allow people from third countries to enter illegally with the aim of helping the cross the border into Poland.
Why Belavia sanctions lift? One reason - Trump isn't interested in this Ukraine venture, it's not his puppet project. He even called it a mistake. But what he is interested in is the market for Boeing - he doesn't want to just give it to newly emerging Russian aircraft models.
If Russian aircraft is not safe enough to be flown, then they simply shouldn't fly it. Whether it's for lack of spare parts or something else is not the West's problem. Any resulting deaths will be on them for their carelessness. The whole point of sanctions is that they're not convenient. If anything sanctions should be tougher!
The only government that can end the sanctions/ export embargo is Russia, if they withdraw and end their invasion of Ukraine.
Apparently Cankles Mctaco face was going up stop the war in 24 hours, along with the other 6 or 7 he already stopped. Hes too busy calling racist,homophobic, misogynist people martyrs.
Absolute garbage take, Ben.
No, we’re not supposed to “celebrate” when there’s an inevitable aviation tragedy in Russia. But I will know that the fault lies entirely with Putin, who could have easily stopped civil aviation if it couldn’t fly reliably, or, better yet, stopped his war in Ukraine.
You are playing right into his hands here in supporting his efforts to keep the Russian aviation sector going. I hope the responses here bring about...
Absolute garbage take, Ben.
No, we’re not supposed to “celebrate” when there’s an inevitable aviation tragedy in Russia. But I will know that the fault lies entirely with Putin, who could have easily stopped civil aviation if it couldn’t fly reliably, or, better yet, stopped his war in Ukraine.
You are playing right into his hands here in supporting his efforts to keep the Russian aviation sector going. I hope the responses here bring about some real soul searching on your part
Their safety is nothing we should worry about and they can all crash.
They stole the planes…. and you want to provide parts? Russia is not the victim. Everyday they target and kill civilians. By your logic, we should reconsider any sanctions that directly or indirectly cause death (medicine, technology, etc). This is their war with the west. They can end it by leaving Ukraine. You are off the mark here.
The solution is rather easy, Stop the war and then a lift of the ban may be considered (maybe for a contribution towards rebuilding Ukraine).
What's the ban conditions on the other country invading a sovereign neighbor, the one full of Russians and Unkrainians funny enough.
I have the answer: agree to ceasefire with pre-exisiting land borders restored and the sanctions will be removed.
This. Russia knows exactly how to end the sanctions - withdraw to pre-2022 borders and stop the invasion. Instead they'd rather fly unsafe planes and endanger their own civilians than give up the territory they stole. That tells you everything about Putin's priorities - his imperial fantasies matter more than Russian lives.
Obviously, Russia could stop all these sanctions tomorrow if it withdrew from Ukraine so the ball is in their court. Having said that, you could argue that if other countries really wanted to punish Russia hard, they would have gone for its energy instead. Why choose aviation instead of energy (I know why aviation - dual use and so on - but why this rather than that is my question)? Is energy too big to fail?
The ball is entirely in Russia's court here. The west did not force them to invade Ukraine, nor is the west obligated to sell them airplane parts. If Putin wants the domestic Russian aviation industry to keep running, he can end the war in Ukraine. If he refuses, any deaths that result are entirely on his hands. He made choices, and those choices carried consequences.
If your plane is unsafe to fly do not let it fly. If you staet a war live with the consequences.
**** em. Let them crash until they unconditionally surrender and withdraw from Ukraine. And yes, I’d celebrate that happening. The west is at WAR with these animals; you don’t worry about the lives of the enemy. Any death resulting from crashes of Boeing or Airbus is SOLELY on Russia… not the countries sanctioning Russia.
The nerve of the Russians….human life means nothing to them. They don’t give a damn about safety.
I find it disgusting...
**** em. Let them crash until they unconditionally surrender and withdraw from Ukraine. And yes, I’d celebrate that happening. The west is at WAR with these animals; you don’t worry about the lives of the enemy. Any death resulting from crashes of Boeing or Airbus is SOLELY on Russia… not the countries sanctioning Russia.
The nerve of the Russians….human life means nothing to them. They don’t give a damn about safety.
I find it disgusting that you even imply that any crash could be blamed on sanctions. Russia chose to invade Ukraine, like Hitler chose to start WW2.
It’s not our responsibility to worry about the safety of Russian civilians.
Putin wants sanctions eased? Surrender. Period
“Human life means nothing to those animals” He says, after sharing to the entire world how he would celebrate a plane full of civilian men, women, and children crashing because he doesn’t like the country they were born in.
Each country made its own decisions on overflying Russia, USA controls the replacement parts for airplanes.
Canada as an example could allow overflight by Russian planes and obviously Russia would allow us to overfly.
Disagree with what Russia has done in Ukraine.
However it pales in comparison to the genocide that Israel is committing in Gaza and what Zionists have done to Palestinians for nearly 80 years.
Ever heard of Holodomor?
@BZ - Why are you guys always so keen to demonstrate your utter lack of knowledge on this topic (in this case even on two topics) by always stating something so blatantly absurd that the only option other than you having absolutely no knowledge of history and/or current conflicts is that you're simply trolling.
@Samo
How much knowledge about that conflict do you gave?
@BZ is right. Israel has been committing crimes on the people of Palestine for 80 years. Currently a televised genocide is going on in Gaza committed by the war criminal Netanyahu who is worse than Putin. The US and EU have been funding that genocide since day one.
We call it "sanctions" because it sounds nice. But in reality it's just an export ban, which damages our commercial bottom line.
I thought there was supposed to be peace between Russia and Ukraine in 24 hours. (And, Gaza for that matter.)
Trump was dreaming before he took office. He thought he would be able to control everyone. But no one cares about what he says. He is a crazy guy who obeys Netanyahu like his father.
There is a dual use risk involved, i.e. that spare parts for civilian aircraft may be used by the Russian military in its war of aggression. Hence, the sanctions have to stay in place at least for the duration of the aggression.
Bad take, Ben. Russia can lift sanctions on their own simply by ending their invasion of their sovereign neighbor. As CapitalMike notes, if they continue to fly unsafe planes, that's on them. Like Ukraine, they can just use trains if they wish to move people and goods.
100% on this. Well said. Ben, this is 100% solvable by Russia so stop the pity party.
Horrible take Ben. It's a Russian narrarive they like parroted that these sanctions arent effective. They're so ineffective that they keep desperately asking for them to be lifted. They take time to work and the effects are biting now.
Only Putin can end this war. For those unaware, this is a war about sovereignty and not territory. No land concession will end this conflict long term. Sovereignty is fairly binary, you either have it or...
Horrible take Ben. It's a Russian narrarive they like parroted that these sanctions arent effective. They're so ineffective that they keep desperately asking for them to be lifted. They take time to work and the effects are biting now.
Only Putin can end this war. For those unaware, this is a war about sovereignty and not territory. No land concession will end this conflict long term. Sovereignty is fairly binary, you either have it or you don't. Sanctions are one of the tools to keep pressure on Putin to end it.
The sanctions in this field will not inevitably cost human lives. They should cause planes to stay on the ground for lack of maintenance or lack of spare parts. If Russia continues to fly their aircraft violating manufacturer‘s maintenance instructions, this cannot be anybody’s responsibility but their own.
This from the people whose meddlesome antics and clumsy weaponry shot down MH370 in 2014, and whose unprovoked invasion of a sovereign neighbor has destroyed entire cities and killed thousands of innocent civilians.
Civil aviation is a commercial privilege, not a human right. Russia could either end its war, build its own planes, or go back to the choo-choo train.
Let them go back to the "Flying Crate" days of the communist times, when...
This from the people whose meddlesome antics and clumsy weaponry shot down MH370 in 2014, and whose unprovoked invasion of a sovereign neighbor has destroyed entire cities and killed thousands of innocent civilians.
Civil aviation is a commercial privilege, not a human right. Russia could either end its war, build its own planes, or go back to the choo-choo train.
Let them go back to the "Flying Crate" days of the communist times, when Aeroflot crashed like a Zimbabwean stock market.
"This from the people whose meddlesome antics and clumsy weaponry shot down MH370 in 2014"
I think you're thinking of MH17
Yes, MH17, but I think the point is particularly relevant here.
Putin has not even admitted to that.
As many others said, it is easy for Putin to end sanctions - just withdraw back to 2014 borders.
If the plane crashes, it's Russia's fault. Plain and simple. They're fully aware of what they're doing and have the means to stop the sanctions right now. They're just choosing not to and throwing a fit when they suffer the consequences of their actions.
The current sanctions are half-arsed (Russia still exports millions of barrels of oil and other minerals & timber products to China and India), so Putin should STFU about it.
If the USA didn't TACO every month & wanted to ramp up sanctions on Russia, they could and then their soldiers would run home from Ukraine in 30 days. Putin would have an accidental fall from a window on Day 25.
The problem is that the USA imposed all the sanctions on Russia they possibly could. There is simply nothing more they can do. The only thing they still can do is the nuclear war.
The problem is that the USA imposed all the sanctions on Russia they possibly could. There is simply nothing more they can do. The only thing they still can do is the nuclear war.
Go to hell, Russia! Go to hell, Putin!
You made your bed, now lie in it.
Putin would like to have his cake and eat it too. The chessmaster cannot play the sympathy card.
Look "Rootin' Tootin' Putin: You stop your illegal invasion of the Ukraine, repay them for their monetary losses (you can't repay the lives you killed) and MAYBE the sanctions will be EASED...not removed. Aeroflop (sic) can just suffer. Even then, hopefully SkyTeam will not invite them back into the fold.
Russian can smugle western parts using china or other proxies, just like they do for building rockets, drones and other weapons.
Which they already do. I believe they bought $500m in Airbus and Boeing spare parts through grey market in CIS countries, Turkey, India, UAE and China
Last year*
And i believe they did a total of $1.2 billion since war begun
It’s easy to see the side where these sanctions could (will) lead to the death of innocent Russians if a plane crashes. But you didn’t write about the flip side which is how many innocent Ukrainians will die if the sanctions are lifted and these spare parts are used for planes supporting war efforts?
It’s not ideal, but you have to assume spare parts will go to support the war first and may not prevent a plane from crashing with innocent people onboard.
It is easy to end the sanctions. Withdraw and honor the commitments Russia made when Ukraine agreed to give up their nuclear weapons. All within Russia's control. If their stolen airplanes fall out of the sky, that is on them, hopefully one falls on the Kremlin.
Russia's aviation sector is collapsing due to a lack of parts and an inability to access western markets.
Western airlines are not going to overfly war zones or places where there is a risk to its citizens in the event of an emergency landing.
Russia desperately wants to normalize the world while attempting to take over Ukraine.
The war has to end and then aviation can return to normal
And how do sanctions impacting the safety of civilians help end the war or change the leadership you dislike? Civilian aviation sanctions have not worked in Iran and definitely will not work in Russia. In 10-20 years this will be a non-issue anyway as the Chinese begin building aircraft with fully Chinese components. Sanctions as a means of coercion are on their way out.
"10-20 years" is more "30-50", as lead times in aviation are enormous and, if anything positive was to come out of China's civil aviation sector within 10 years, it would already be visible. At this point, the most obvious aspect of China's airliner developing capacity is that they are at pains to copy the 35 year old technology of the first Airbus narrowbodies. The only reason the performance is better is the use of NNEO
... Generation which are neither conceived nor made in China.
The thing is that Russia also has an aviation sector. They have their own aircraft models, avionics and engines for them. This is their priority now, not the sanctions lift. Their MS-21 with no Western parts is finishing certification. It will take them 5 years to reduce dependency upon Western planes, and in 10 years they will close their needs completely.
What is unlawful and coercive is Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The country's leadership has been a cancer on the world since 1917.
Zelenskyy was democratically elected 100% Russians caused unlawful death of innocent women, children, war crime mutilations of soldiers, torture of innocent men and women in hundreds of documented FSB systematic co-ordinated chambers across Ukraine!!