**Russia Seeks Lifting of Sanctions on Aeroflot, But US Response Remains Unclear**
In a bid to revive direct air service between the two nations, Russia has asked the United States to lift sanctions on its state airline, Aeroflot. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced this move on April 11, citing Washington’s decision as crucial for resuming flights between the US and Russia.
According to Lavrov, the proposal was first discussed over a month ago during talks in Riyadh and was reiterated during the latest meeting in Istanbul on April 10. However, the US response remains unclear, with no reciprocal step taken so far. Despite this, Lavrov expressed confidence that the issue will be resolved, saying it is a matter of “returning to normality.”
**The Challenges Faced by Aeroflot**
Aeroflot, Russia’s largest airline, has been operating under heavy sanctions since 2022 following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The airline has struggled with mounting operational challenges due to the restrictions on accessing spare parts, maintenance, and insurance. This has severely impacted the company’s ability to operate safely and efficiently.
**US-Russia Dialogue: A Step Towards Peace?**
The request to lift sanctions on Aeroflot comes amidst a broader dialogue between US and Russian officials. Meetings have been held in Istanbul and Saudi Arabia as part of a peace process aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine. However, the topic of war in Ukraine was reportedly not on the agenda during these talks.
**A Complicated Road to Peace**
The situation is further complicated by differing views within the US government. While President Donald Trump has ruled out lifting sanctions before a peace deal is reached, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has suggested that limited relief could be possible as part of an eventual agreement.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has already agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US. However, Russia’s refusal to accept this offer has stalled the peace process. As the situation remains uncertain, it remains to be seen whether Aeroflot will eventually benefit from the lifting of sanctions and resume direct air service with the US.
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