DHAKA: Britain said Saturday it had barred a Russian delegation from attending the Farnborough air show because of the Ukraine crisis, sparking an angry reaction from Russia.

The Russian embassy in London expressed ‘regret’ that Britain had not issued visas to a large part of its delegation and demanded an urgent explanation.

The Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) is a key event in the aviation sector calendar, with Russia usually sending a sizeable contingent as it seeks foreign sales.

Britain has been a strong backer of EU asset bans and travel freezes against Moscow over what it says is Russian interference in conflict-torn eastern Ukraine.

Britain’s Foreign Office said it invites representatives from foreign governments to attend Farnborough as government guests, even though it is a commercial event, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1848 HRS, JUL 12, 2014