The Government introduces a ban on air transport services between Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus starting 00:00 on May 26, 2021. The decision was made to ensure the safety of aviation and the society.

The precondition for that was the situation with the Ryanair passenger plane, which on May 23 had made a forced landing at Minsk airport. Belarusian opposition journalist Roman Protasevich was detained when the plane was forced to land at Minsk Airport.

The Government's decision was adopted in accordance with part one of Article 49 of the Law of Ukraine "On the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine" and part four of Article 10 of the Air Code of Ukraine.

The ban is introduced on the following:

• performing any flights to/from between destinations located on the territory of Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus by Ukrainian and Belarusian operators;
• performing flights by Ukrainian operators in the airspace of the Republic of Belarus.

Ministry of Infrastructure, the State Aviation Service, UkSATSE is charged with the implementation of the protocol decision. The State Aviation Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall, in accordance with the established procedure, ensure appropriate measures and inform the relevant bodies of the Republic of Belarus about the aforesaid ban.

"The situation in Belarus has become an international precedent. Our priority is the safety of passengers and aviation. The priority is the prompt organization of all activities in strict accordance with international and national law.

For its part, Ukraine is ready to provide maximum support to states and private companies in the process of restructuring routes via our airspace," commented Oleksandr Kubrakov, Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine.

It should be noted that on May 24, EU leaders called on European airlines to avoid flights over Belarus, as well as "as soon as possible" to impose additional sanctions against Belarus. The decision has not yet entered into force, it has yet to be agreed and approved by the EU Council of Ministers.