• Monday, 23 December 2024

Lavrov's trip to Serbia cancelled as neighbours close airspace

Lavrov's trip to Serbia cancelled as neighbours close airspace
Moscow, 6 June 2022 (dpa/MIA) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has cancelled a planned two-day visit to Serbia following the decision by three of Serbia's neighbours to close their airspace to his plane, the Interfax news agency reported on Sunday. North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Montenegro all refused to grant Lavrov's flight to Belgrade use of their airspace, Serbian daily newspaper Večernje Novosti reported. The cancellation of the visit was confirmed by a high-ranking foreign ministry official, who told Interfax: "Our diplomacy has yet to master teleportation." Lavrov has been sanctioned by the West over Russia's war in Ukraine. The European Union has also closed its airspace to Russian aircraft due to the invasion. Lavrov was due to visit Serbia on Monday and Tuesday to discuss supplying the country with Russian energy.