Russia Seeks Sanctions Relief for Aeroflot to Resume U.S. Flights, Lavrov Reports

Russian officials have urged Washington to remove sanctions imposed on Aeroflot, the country’s leading airline, in order to restore direct flights to the United States. However, they have yet to receive a response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on Friday.

“We presented this request during the meeting in [Saudi Arabia] over a month ago,” Lavrov informed reporters in Kazakhstan. “The Americans have deliberated on it, but we have not observed any feedback so far.”

Following Lavrov’s remarks, shares of Aeroflot on the Moscow Stock Exchange (MOEX) increased by up to 4%.

Since the West imposed airspace restrictions on Russian aircraft in response to the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Aeroflot has lost access to many of its most lucrative routes. Additionally, sanctions have led aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus to cease deliveries of replacement parts, impacting 95% of Aeroflot’s fleet.

Last month, the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia advocated for the lifting of sanctions on the aviation sector, calling it a “humanitarian necessity.” There have also been indications that the White House is compiling a list of individuals and entities that could be eligible for sanctions relief.

The Kremlin regards the alleviation of sanctions as essential for restoring normal relations between the U.S. and Russia.

On the same day, Lavrov indicated that some “progress” might have been achieved in the U.S.-Russia discussions held in Istanbul on Thursday, which aimed at normalizing the functioning of their diplomatic missions. However, he mentioned he had not yet received a briefing on that conversation.

The U.S. State Department and Russia’s Ambassador to Washington, Alexander Darchiyev, stated that both sides “exchanged notes to finalize an understanding aimed at ensuring stable diplomatic banking for their respective bilateral missions.”

Political analyst Vladimir Frolov noted on X that the second round of talks in Istanbul did not seem to advance efforts to restore direct air travel.

During his press conference on Friday, Lavrov cautioned against overstating the advancements made in the recent U.S.-Russia discussions, as well as the potential for improving relations with Washington.

“I believe we should not delude ourselves about the extent of contacts between Russia and the U.S. However, striving for normalization grounded in mutual recognition and respect for each nation’s interests is both realistic and necessary,” the foreign minister remarked.