The European Union has no intention of lifting the ban on Russian airlines using its airspace, maintaining a tough stance against Moscow, Politico reported on April 18, 2025, citing an anonymous representative of the European Commission, the EU's executive body. The statement came in response to Russia's attempts to restore air traffic with the United States as part of discussions on settling the conflict in Ukraine. According to the source, without access to European skies, Russian planes will not be able to carry out transatlantic flights, and the EU sees no reason to ease the sanctions imposed after the outbreak of hostilities in 2022.

The European Commission based its position not only on political but also technical considerations. As the Politico source noted, there are serious doubts in Europe about the safety of Russian aircraft. Over the past three years, under sanctions, Russian airlines have faced restrictions in the supply of spare parts and access to international maintenance standards. This, according to European officials, calls into question the airworthiness of the Russian aircraft fleet. The European Commission representative emphasized that without confirmation of compliance with strict safety standards, the EU is not ready to take risks by allowing Russian aircraft into its airspace.

The EU decision effectively blocks any prospects for restoring air traffic between Russia and the US, since the route through Europe is key for such flights. According to Reuters, Moscow proposed in March 2025 that Washington include the lifting of aviation sanctions in a package of measures to de-escalate the conflict in Ukraine. However, as The Wall Street Journal reports, the initiative did not find support in either the US or Europe, where they believe that Russia must first fulfill its international obligations, including the withdrawal of troops from Ukrainian territory. Commenting on the situation, Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya called the EU's position "politically motivated" and accused the West of using sanctions as a tool of pressure.

Russia has attempted to modernize its fleet by increasing production of aircraft such as the MS-21 and Tu-214, but their certification to international standards remains in doubt. This, in turn, increases the isolation of Russian aviation.