U.S. Asks Greece To Close Its Airspace To Russian Aircraft

Reuters: U.S. asks Greece to deny Russian flights to Syria

The United States has asked Greece to deny Russia the use of its airspace for supply flights to Syria, a Greek official said on Monday, after Washington told Moscow it was deeply concerned by reports of a Russian military build up in Syria.

The Greek foreign ministry said the request was being examined. Russian newswire RIA Novosti earlier said Greece had refused the U.S. request, adding that Russia was seeking permission to run the flights up to Sept. 24.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow would not give any official reaction until there was a decision from Athens.

WNU Editor: Athens has just refused this U.S. request. I am surprised that this request was made public .... they are usually done in private via through back-channels to avoid embarrassment to an ally who does not want to be put on the spot. In this case it looks like the U.S. made the decision "on the fly" .... without sufficient preparation .... and definitely without any thought on what would happen if Greece would say no ....which they just did. In diplomacy .... at least when I worked as a minor diplomat .... we would have called such behaviour "amateurish" at best.

More News On The U.S. Asking Greece To Deny Russian Flights To Syria

US asks Greece to deny Russian flights to Syria -- AFP
Greece mulls denying use of airspace to Russia planes carrying supplies to Syria -- AFP
U.S. Bids to Stop Russia Greek Flights Amid Syria ‘Build-Up’ -- Bloomberg
Russian Supply Flights To Syria: U.S. Reportedly Asks Greece To Deny Russia Use Of Its Airspace For Syria-Bound Flights -- IBTimes
Greece confirms US asked to close airspace to Syria-bound Russian aid flights -- RT
Kremlin silent on US request to Greece to close its air space for Russian aircraft -- TASS
Plan B: Russia May Use New Aid Flight Routes to Syria Bypassing Greece -- Sputnik

Update: Russia Answers U.S. Criticism Over Military Aid to Syria -- NYT