Russia on Monday warned that it might restrict overflight rights for Western carriers, as the European Union was set to grant final approval to new sanctions against Moscow over the conflict in Ukraine, dpa reported.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview published Monday
that Russia would react to new sanctions on its energy and banking
sector.
'If Western carriers (have to) avoid our airspace, this might cause the bankruptcy of many airlines, who already are fighting for survival,' Medvedev told Moscow's Vedomosti newspaper.
The prime minister added that sanctions were the wrong tool to achieve peace in Ukraine. 'Sadly there is a desire to use force in international relations,' he said.