The Diplomat
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday advised the nearly 3,000 Spaniards residing in Russia to leave the country “immediately” in view of the “closure of Spanish and European airspace.” The warning coincides with the Government’s decision to close Spanish airspace to Russian Federation airlines in application of sanctions approved this weekend by the Council of the European Union.
“In view of the imminent closure of Spanish and European airspace, all persons wishing to leave Russia are recommended to do so immediately,” the Ministry warned in its travel recommendations to Russia, updated this past Sunday. Speaking to Radio Nacional de España, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares insisted yesterday on this recommendation and asked Spaniards wishing to leave Russia to contact the Embassy and the Spanish consulates in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
“In the coming days, decisions will be taken that will hinder or alter bank transfers, the use of credit or debit cards or means of transportation to Western Europe,” the Ministry continued. “Persons of Spanish nationality in the territory of the Russian Federation are requested to take the above into account and to remain alert and informed about the development of the situation in the country,” it added. “Given the current context, it is recommended to delay all non-essential travel to Russia and it is strongly recommended not to travel to the bordering regions between Russia and Ukraine,” it concluded.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda informed yesterday of the Spanish Government’s decision to close Spanish airspace to airlines from the Russian Federation, in application of Regulation 2002/334, approved early this morning by the Council of the European Union, with retroactive effect from 00:00 today.
“This measure, which will apply throughout the Union, is part of the economic sanctions adopted by Brussels in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to militarily invade Ukraine,” it specified. Currently, two Russian airlines, Aeroflot and Siberia Airlines, operate direct flights between Moscow and Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante and Malaga. Aeroflot has suspended its destinations to Europe and neighboring countries until March or May as a result of the European measures. In response to these measures, Russian authorities yesterday announced restrictions on flights of airlines from 36 countries, including Spain.
The Regulation prohibits aircraft operated by Russian air carriers, including carriers marketing under code-sharing or capacity reservation agreements, aircraft registered in Russia or aircraft not registered in Russia but owned, chartered or otherwise controlled by Russian natural or legal persons, entities or bodies, from landing on, taking off from or flying over the territory of the Union.
The closure shall not apply in case of emergency landings or emergency overflights. In addition, the competent authorities may authorize an aircraft to land in, take off from or overfly the territory of the Union if they have previously determined that the landing, take-off or overflight is necessary for humanitarian purposes or for any other purpose consistent with the objectives of this Regulation.
Spain has also proposed to impose similar measures in the maritime sector. Among those being considered are prohibiting the access of Russian ships to our ports, prohibiting the supply of fuel or provisions to them in Spanish ports or even preventing Russian ships or those owned by Russian companies from entering Spanish waters.
