Czechs ban Russian airlines, government mulls more sanctions

FILE PHOTO: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets Czech Republic's Prime Minister Petr Fiala ahead of a meeting at the European Council Building in Brussels, Belgium, February 17, 2022. Francois Walschaerts/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

PRAGUE (Reuters) - The Czech Republic banned Russian airlines from flying to the central European country from Saturday and is considering further steps against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in addition to sanctions agreed by the European Union.

To help Ukraine, the Czech government will send fuel and blood and release 300 million crowns ($13.64 million) in aid to refugees, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Friday.