Fico's Moscow Trip Turns Bumpy as Baltic States Shut Airspace
Airspace of Baltic Countries denies entry to Fico's flight bound for Moscow
AirNav shows that Robert Fico, the Slovakian Prime Minister with affinities for Russia, had to deviate from his usual route to attend the Moscow WWII commemorations due to the Baltic states' refusal to let his plane traverse their skies. This roadblock stirred complications in his schedule.
On AirNav's records, Fico's government plane departed from Bratislava airport, veered over Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia, and eventually arrived in Russia's Dagestan region. Spotted on Russian state TV, a welcoming delegation was there to greet him upon arrival in Moscow.
Ordinarily, European planes traversing Russia en route to Europe would utilize Lithuanian airspace. However, in 2021, European airlines were warned against choosing the shorter route over Belarus, due to sanctions against the Minsk government which forced a Western aircraft carrying an opposition figure to ground unceremoniously.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and Latvia announced their denial to facilitate Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's flights to Moscow. Estonia, as Fico reported on his Facebook page, also expressed its unwillingness to approve their airspace for this flight.
Set for the May 9 Moscow celebrations, Fico is the lone EU head of state or government will be in attendance. With more than two dozen foreign dignitaries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, joining the parade, Fico's presence is noteworthy amidst the ongoing EU foreign policy advisement against partaking in Russia's military festivities.
Sources: ntv.de, mdi/rts
- Slovakia
- Baltics
- Moscow
- Russia
- World War II
- EU
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The Baltic states' decision to deny Fico's plane passage stems from geopolitical tensions and the backdrop of Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Given the Baltic countries' criticism of Russia, allowing flights to partake in Russian celebrations might be construed as supportive or favorable to Russia's stance.
Fico's decision to attend the Moscow parade, amidst the EU's general discouragement for EU leaders to participate in Russian celebrations, was met with controversy. The Baltic states' action of restricting access to their airspace aligns with broader efforts by these countries to limit or disallow activities seen as endorsing or participating in events orchestrated by Russia during periods of heightened geopolitical tensions. [1][2][3][5]
- The Baltic states, known for their criticism of Russia due to geopolitical tensions and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, refused to allow Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico's plane to traverse their airspace, causing a detour in his route to the Moscow WWII commemorations.
- As a result, Fico's government plane had to travel over Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia, before reaching Russia's Dagestan region, adding complications to his schedule.
- This incident occurred amidst ongoing EU foreign policy advisement against EU leaders participating in Russia's military festivities, making Fico's presence noteworthy at the Moscow celebrations on May 9.
- The Baltic states' action can be seen as part of broader efforts by these countries to limit or disallow activities that might be construed as supportive or favorable to Russia during periods of heightened geopolitical tensions.
