In Istanbul, diplomats from America and Russia held ‘constructive talks.’ Part of the negotiations included a possible reopening of airspace for each other.
Thursday February 27, American diplomats negotiated with their Russian counterparts in Istanbul. According to Russian media, the talks lasted around six hours. They mainly discussed the ‘practical steps needed in the interest of the peoples to restore relations between the two countries,’ according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. The phone call between Trump and Putin earlier this month served as the impetus for the negotiations.
What exactly the ministry means by ‘practical steps’, remains unclear. However, it appears that the Russians made a proposal to reopen airspace for each other. They also discussed restoring normal operations of the diplomatic missions of both countries. Furthermore, both parties should straighten out financial relations again.
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the United States and the European Union closed their airspace to Russian airlines. In response, the Russians did the same with respect to American and European airlines. For over three years now, Aeroflot aircraft have no longer been seen in Europe nor America.
Urgency Required
Due to the rapprochement between Trump and Putin, the flight from Russia comes as no surprise. The Russian aviation sector is experiencing great troubles. For over three years, a minimal number of spare parts have been coming in for Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and the Russian sector is suffering from major shortages. And, despite plans for building 235 Russian aircraft by 2028, the sector very much leans on Western parts.
It previously appeared that airlines were cannibalising aircraft for spare parts. Therefore, the Russian aviation sector urgently needs reopening of the borders. After all, restoring bilateral relations in aviation with America also means the return of spare parts for Boeing aircraft.