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Belarus, Russia to consider flights to Crimea

MINSK, 1 June (BelTA) – Belarus and Russia will consider a possibility to launch flights to Crimea, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the meeting to discuss cooperation with Russia on 1 June, BelTA has learned.

“Ukraine has closed its airspace to Belarus’ flights. We run a sanatorium in Crimea, in Miskhor, where people have always traveled. In order not to cause tensions, we used to travel through Ukraine, some by train, some by car, some by plane. They have introduced this flight ban. I have asked Putin to think how we can get to Crimea. We will not fly through Poland: they do not allow it either,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

According to him, Belarus and Russia will work out a possibility to operate flights to Crimea. Such an instruction has already been given to the authorities in charge. “I think there will be no problems with that. They closed their airspace - well, there are countries through which we can always get to Crimea,” the president added.

Journalists noted that the economy was always the core of Belarus-Russia relations, but the question of flights to Crimea, has, among other things, a certain political aspect. Aleksandr Lukashenko responded that the economy remains a priority.

“As for Crimea, please, pay attention: I said that we will discuss this matter. But we cannot prohibit flying to Crimea through Ukraine. It was not us who started this. I asked Poroshenko (he was the president back then): How can I get to Crimea now? He answered: No problem, but only through Ukraine. I said: Got it. Today I would like to ask Zelenskyy: If I want to fly to Crimea, how can I do it today? Only through Russia. Therefore, I have a free hand and I do not worry about it. They schemed and contrived this situation that looks like a provocation. Therefore, probably, I am not to blame, just like other Belarusians,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

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