Ukraine wants to reach an airport truce with Russia: what does this mean for air travel?

Kyiv is proposing a new diplomatic initiative — a mutual agreement with Russia, brokered by the EU, to refrain from attacks on aviation infrastructure. This pragmatic solution is beneficial to both sides. Find out when the skies will reopen and the first flights will take off

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Ukraine’s airspace has remained closed to civil aviation since the first day of the full-scale invasion. However, against the backdrop of a protracted war and stalled peace initiatives, a new scenario has emerged that could see passenger aircraft return to Ukrainian skies. Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga, during a meeting in Brussels, proposed to European partners that they assist in concluding a so-called ‘airport truce’ with Russia.

What is an airport truce?

The essence of the initiative boils down to a mutual renunciation of attacks on airports. Ukrainian diplomats assume that Russia may well be interested in such a format. This is not a matter of peaceful intentions, but purely pragmatism: recently, major Russian air hubs have regularly been targeted by Ukrainian long-range strikes, leading to the paralysis of air traffic within Russia itself and significant losses.

A mutual agreement to refrain from destroying such infrastructure would be a first step that benefits both sides without the need for major political concessions.

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Why Ukraine is asking Europe for help

According to Andriy Sybiga, the diplomatic process under US auspices has now objectively slowed down. Vladimir Putin is showing no willingness to reach a broad peace agreement, so the Ukrainian authorities are trying to find new levers of influence and specific compromises.

This is precisely why Ukraine needs Europe to play a new role. The idea is for the EU to create a special negotiating platform or working group dedicated exclusively to discussing airport security. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already discussed this plan with some European leaders behind closed doors.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is making its position clear: no one is asking Brussels to replace Washington at the negotiating table. The European initiative should complement existing formats, but for it to succeed, EU countries must finally speak with ‘one voice’.

When will airports in Ukraine reopen?

Talks about resuming civilian flights take place regularly, but it is only now that they are beginning to be backed up by concrete action. As early as the beginning of 2025, Oleksiy Dubrevskyi, CEO of Boryspil Airport, confidently stated that the country’s main air hub was ready to resume full operations just one month after a decision to open the airspace was taken.

And in March 2026, the government took the next practical step — setting up a special working group. Its tasks now include not just paperwork, but the development of a realistic phased plan for resuming flights and, most importantly, the design of aviation infrastructure protection systems.

Technically, Ukraine is ready to receive aircraft. The only serious obstacle remains passenger safety guarantees.

Without protection against missile strikes, no international airline will allow its aircraft into Ukrainian airspace. That is precisely why the success of the ‘airport truce’ is the key to ensuring that Ukrainians can fly again, rather than spending a day on exhausting bus journeys to the nearest European hubs.

Those planning a trip are advised to keep a close eye on flight statuses and plan their itinerary in advance. It is convenient to book travel tickets via the ticket booking system on Visit Ukraine, where you can compare flight options and choose alternative routes.

Remember! The return of civil aviation may begin in the western regions. Lviv International Airport has retained 100% of its infrastructure, kept its staff and is ready to receive passenger aircraft. Find out what the single condition is for resuming flights and how many weeks it will take for a full-scale launch.

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