Kyiv threatened Minsk with “instant” sanctions for flights to Crimea

If Belarus starts flying to Crimea through Russia, then Ukraine will respond with sanctions, and the decision will be made instantly. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzhaparova in an interview with Ukrainform.

“We will act immediately against any attempts to legitimize the occupation of Crimea by Russia, against any attempts to impose contacts with the so-called LNR or DNR. And if at least one aircraft of the Belarusian airline ends up on the territory of the occupied Crimea, sanctions will be inevitable with all the ensuing consequences,” Dzhepparova said.

She explained that the Ukrainian authorities "recorded for themselves the statements of Mr. Lukashenko regarding the appeal to Russia and Putin with the possible opening of flights to the occupied Crimea."

Dzhaparova believes that the statements of Belarusian President ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO “are an emotional reaction” to the sanctions that Ukraine imposed after the forced landing of a Ryanair plane at MINSK airport.

At the same time, the official blamed Lukashenka for the ban on air communication with Belarus and the inconvenience for the citizens of this country. According to her, the cancellation of flights and the ban on the use of Ukrainian airspace for the Belavia airline were not political measures, but related to security due to the unpredictable actions of the Belarusian authorities.