Ukraine condemns Ryanair diversion over Belarus

Ukrainian presidential spokesperson Mykhailo Podoliak
called the forced landing in Belarus of a Ryanair flight from Athens to Vilnius
on May 23 “a direct manifestation of international terrorism”. In comments to
pravda.com.ua, Podoliak stated that a strict legal assessment is required and
that at the least a “ban on the sky” should be instated. He also stated that
with the forced landing, Belarussian president Lukashenko had moved Belarus
“firmly into the category of maximum toxicity” and that in his assessment, the
only route left was Belarus’ absorption into Russia.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry tweeted on May 23 that it demanded
the immediate release of Roman Protasevich, the Belarussian opposition media
editor who was detained after deplaning in Minsk.

Following the incident, some air traffic has avoided
Belarus. Wizz Air announced on May 24 that its Kyiv – Tallinn flight had
avoided Belarus. No decision had yet been made as to how long this detour will
last. Reuters.com reports that Air Baltic also stated that it would avoid
flying over Belarus.

In related Ukrainian news, the Servant of the People faction
of the Verkhovna Rada expelled pro-Lukashenko deputy Yevhen Shevchenko on May
24. Prior to the forced landing, a petition to remove Shevchenko had gained
only 70% of the votes required for his removal. Pravda.com.ua reported that at
a personal meeting with Lukashenko in April, Shevchenko had told him that “more
than a third of Ukrainians would like for Lukashenko to be their president.

James Hydzik: On the
official level, this is likely to strain Ukrainian – Belarussian relations,
though it is not clear that there are any actions likely outside of aviation,
such as forbidding Belavia flights to Kyiv. On the practical level, not all
airlines are avoiding Belarus yet.

The incident raises questions as to why this kind
of signal was sent, as Protashevich was likely an open target for assassination
going to and from airports. The rising Belarusian population in Ukraine would
have understood either way about the reach of the Belarusian state without the
level of international condemnation being piled upon it. As Podoliak stated,
Belarus has shown that it no longer cares.