EU Opposes Russia’s Bid to Rejoin UN Aviation Council

Russia’s push to regain a seat on the governing council of the U.N.’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is facing firm resistance from the European Union, which argues Moscow’s record makes it unfit to uphold the body’s standards. The showdown is set for ICAO’s triennial assembly in Montreal, where 193 member states will elect 36 nations to the council and set new aviation targets.

Russia lost its council seat in 2022 after it illegally confiscated hundreds of leased aircraft following its invasion of Ukraine. The ICAO Council also found Moscow responsible for shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014, killing 298 people. Despite this, the Kremlin is presenting itself as “the largest aviation power” with over a century of civil aviation history as it campaigns for reinstatement.

EU transport spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said it was “unacceptable” for a state that “endangers the safety and security of air passengers” to sit on ICAO’s governing body. European lawmakers at the assembly, including Dariusz Joński and Johan Danielsson, echoed that sentiment, stressing that Russia’s candidacy “is incompatible with the credibility” of the council.

Analysts say Moscow’s bid is as much about prestige as policy. Regaining the seat could help Russia legitimize its unilateral changes to aircraft registries and project influence through blocs like BRICS. But Russia will need majority backing across ICAO’s three-tier election process—where Western states successfully lobbied against it last time—making its return far from assured.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, politico.eu