The 27-nation bloc will close its airspace to Russian airlines, supply weapons to Ukraine and impose sanctions on some pro-Kremlin media outlets in response to Russia’s invasion.
New Delhi: The European Union’s chief executive says the 27-nation bloc will close its airspace to Russian airlines, supply weapons to Ukraine and ban some pro-Kremlin media outlets in response to Russia’s aggression.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday that “for the first time, the EU will finance the purchase and distribution of weapons and other equipment to countries that are under attack.”
Von der Leyen said that “we are closing EU airspace to the Russians. We are proposing a ban on all Russian-owned, Russian registered or Russian-controlled aircraft. These planes will no longer be able to land, take off or take off over the European Union territory.
She also said the EU would “ban the Kremlin’s media machine. State-owned Russia Today and Sputnik, as well as their subsidiaries, will not be able to spread their lies to justify Putin’s war and sow division in our union.”
Von der Leyen said the EU would also target Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko for supporting Russia’s extensive military operation in Ukraine.
“We will impress Lukashenko’s regime with a new package of sanctions,” he said.