US State Department praises Malta’s stance on Russian warplanes
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The US State Department, via its spokeswoman, Morgan Ortagus, has praised the Maltese Government’s stance after the refusal to let two Russian military planes pass through Maltese airspace. The planes were flying from Syria to Venezuela.
We applaud the government of #Malta for refusing to allow Russian planes to use its airspace to supply the brutal former regime in #Venezuela. We call on all countries to follow Malta’s example to stop the Kremlin’s support for the dictator Maduro. #EstamosUnidosVE @MFAMalta
According to The Times of Malta, this was the second time this month that Malta had rejected a request from Russia to use its airspace for flights to Venezuela.
These developments happened in the midst of reports of further issues between Malta and Russia regarding it’s military presence in the Mediterranean.
Buzzfeed reported that Russia had to withdraw a request to dock a warship in Malta, amid suspicions it was trying to purchase riot gear and gas canisters on the island, it claimed.
The 7,570-tonne Severomorsk, with a crew of more than 400 is believed to be heading towards troubled Venezuela, the report in Buzzfeed said.
