Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik that she was thankful to the Turkish Embassy in Russia for its assistance in obtaining Turkish visas for African delegates and journalists who had to change planes in Turkey to reach Russia due to Western sanctions imposed on Russian airlines.
"I would like to express my gratitude, in particular, to the Turkish Ambassador to Russia and the Turkish Embassy in Moscow, which helped us out and quickly found a solution to this situation created by the West," Zakharova said.
The spokeswoman also said that Western sanctions imposed on Russian air carriers, particularly Aeroflot, had greatly complicated transfers to and from Russia, and caused annoyance among citizens of African countries who were traveling to the ministerial conference in Russia's city of Sochi. This case clearly demonstrates how the West continues to pursue their Russophobic policies, the diplomat added.
The West stepped up sanctions pressure on Russia after the start of the special military operation in Ukraine in 2022. The measures included airspace closures and other air cooperation restrictions. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the policy of containing Russia is the West's long-term strategy and the sanctions have dealt a serious blow to the entire global economy.