Turkey extends sanctions on Russian aircraft using its airspace

Turkey is stepping up pressure on Russia’s military presence in Syria, deciding to close its airspace to Russian flights to Syria until July.

Turkey did not say why it was doing so, with Ankara and Moscow backing the warring factions in Syria, although they are working together to find a solution to the crisis.

Hussein Bagci, head of Turkey’s foreign policy institute, said the move came as Turkey, along with its Western allies, opposed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and was based on Turkey’s intention to improve relations with NATO and the United States.

Turkey’s airspace is the easiest route for Russian planes carrying ammunition and military supplies to Russia’s military base in Syria.

While there are other routes they can use, Russia fears that Turkey may turn to the United States to isolate Russia.

Russia’s move has already affected Russia’s military supplies to Syria, with Turkey already restricting the use of Russian troops in the Black Sea.