MOSCOW, April 20. /TASS/. The Kremlin believes that Washington has deliberately created difficulties with issuing visas to Russian pilots, there are no objective reasons for such a situation.
- Russia and US may be left without direct flights due to Aeroflot’s visa difficulties
- Russian diplomat calls on US to show readiness for constructive dialogue
- Aeroflot confirms problems with getting US visas for its crews
- US Under-Secretary of State to meet Russian ambassador behind closed doors on Friday
"Evidently, the Americans have no objective reasons for difficulties with issuing visas, because all [US diplomatic staff] cuts have not affected the Consular Section in any way," Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "Apparently, these difficulties have been created deliberately. It is fully on our US counterparts’ conscience."
"Of course, we are concerned. We do not want events to unfold in such a way," the Kremlin spokesman added.
On Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Russia and the US could be left without direct flights because of the difficulties the crews of the Russian Aeroflot flagship carrier have with getting US visas. The ministry recalled that the obligation to issue visas to aircrews had been enshrined in the 1994 Russian-US Air Transport Agreement. Aeroflot later confirmed its crews are facing difficulties with getting US visas.