Biden announces closure of U.S. airspace to Russian planes

WASHINGTON, March 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that the United States will close its airspace to all Russian planes in response to Moscow's ongoing military operations in Ukraine.

Biden made the announcement while delivering his State of the Union address, the first of his presidency, to a joint session of Congress.

"Tonight I'm announcing that we will join our allies in closing off American airspace to all Russian flights, further isolating Russia and adding additional squeeze on their economy," Biden said.

The U.S. move followed similar ones made by the European Union and Canada on Sunday.

In retaliation, the Russian aviation authority said Monday that Russia will ban airlines from 36 countries, including the 27 members of the EU, from using the country's airspace.

While condemning Russia and reaffirming U.S. support for Ukraine, Biden reiterated in his speech that U.S. forces "are not engaged and will not engage in the conflict with Russian forces in Ukraine."