Russia asks for resumption of direct flights to, from US

Russia’s top diplomat made a request Friday for the U.S. to reopen its air space to direct flights between the countries, as President Trump has sought to warm relations with Moscow as he pushes for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

The request came during a meeting Thursday between Alexander Darchiev, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's North Atlantic Department, and Sonata Coulter, a U.S. deputy assistant secretary of State.

“The need for practical results aimed at creating conditions for improving bilateral relations in the interests of the peoples of our countries was particularly emphasized," Russia said in a statement after the meeting, according to Reuters.

"In concrete terms, the American side was asked to consider the possibility of restoring direct air traffic."

The U.S. and many allies restricted flights from Russia soon after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. On March 1, then-President Biden announced Russian aircraft were prohibited from entering U.S. airspace.

However, Trump has signaled an openness to engage in negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine, while criticizing Biden for not pursuing direct diplomacy with the Russian leader.

Maria Zakharova, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said Russia is looking to resolve “irritants” from past administrations that prevented bilateral dialogue.

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