NEW YORK, March 2, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - American aviation giant Boeing on
Tuesday announced it was suspending its support for Russian airlines and its
operations in Moscow amid a growing backlash to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

  "We have suspended major operations in Moscow and temporarily closed our
office in Kyiv," the Ukrainian capital, a Boeing spokesperson said.

  "We are also suspending parts, maintenance and technical support services
for Russian airlines. As the conflict continues, our teams are focused on
ensuring the safety of our teammates in the region." Boeing's pullout comes
as US media reported President Joe Biden will announce a ban on Russian
aircraft from using US airspace during his State of the Union speech Tuesday.

  The sanction, reported by CNN and other media, will add the United States
to a group including Canada and a host of European nations closing airspace
to Russian airliners and other aircraft in response to the incursion into
Ukraine that began last week.

  Flag carrier Aeroflot, which flies the Boeing 737 and 777, last week
announced it was suspending flights to Europe in response to the flight ban.

  The United States and European allies have put tough sanctions on Moscow in
recent days, including by cutting selected Russian banks from the SWIFT
messaging system, while Washington has announced measures specifically
targeting the country's central bank.

  Apple on Tuesday stopped all sales in Russia, and the European Union banned
Russian state media outlets RT and Sputnik from broadcasting in the bloc.