Slovak Prime Minister Faces Detour for Moscow Trip Amid Baltic Airspace Closure
Airspace of Baltic Nations Closed for Fico's Flight to Moscow
Take a Longer Route: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, known for his Russia-friendly stance, will face a circuitous journey to Moscow for World War II commemorations due to the Baltic states denying overflight permission. The Europe-bound aircraft had to take an alternate route via Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia, and Dagestan, instead of the usual route through Lithuanian airspace due to political tensions.
Avoiding Belarus and Russian Sanctions: After Western airlines were advised steer clear of Belarus in 2021, due to sanctions, flights between Russia and Europe typically bypassed Lithuanian airspace. Now, the absence of overflight rights from the Baltic states further complicates Fico's travel plans.
EU's Stand Against Russia: The decision to restrict overflights reflects the EU's broader stance towards Russia, particularly in the wake of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—alongside Poland—have imposed travel restrictions in line with the EU's coordinated approach, discouraging leaders from attending Russian events that could be seen as legitimizing or participating in Russian state celebrations.
Political Blowback: Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and Latvian officials have publicly stated their disapproval of Fico's trip to Russia. Fico, who is the only EU head of state attending Moscow's 9 May celebrations, has faced criticism for his stance, despite EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas urging EU leaders to abstain from Russia's military celebrations.
An Uncooperative Flight: Russian President Vladimir Putin organized the Victory Day parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Red Square. The closure of the Baltic states' airspace means Fico's flight is subject to an extended journey, significantly increasing travel time, and causing inconvenience. Fico, in a Facebook post, described the decision as "extremely disruptive" and a "strange demonstration of sovereignty."
Sources: ntv.de, mdi/rts
- Slovakia
- Baltics
- Moscow
- Russia
- World War II
- EU
Insights: The Baltic states' closures of their airspace to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's flight to Moscow for World War II commemorations was part of a broader EU policy response to Russia’s actions, particularly in relation to the ongoing war in Ukraine. This decision also reflects a refusal to assist travel to events seen as legitimizing or taking part in Russian state celebrations, given the EU’s boycott of such events since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The closure of airspace was part of a larger EU effort to discourage leaders from attending public events in Russia, with Fico intending to attend the Victory Day parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Red Square. Ukraine’s airspace has also been closed to all flights since 2022, further limiting overflight options for European leaders traveling to Russia.
- The Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico, has been forced to take a longer route to Moscow due to the Baltic states denying overflight permission, following the EU's stance against Russia, especially in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
- The absence of overflight rights from the Baltic states, along with Ukraine's airspace closure since 2022, has complicated Fico's travel plans as flights between Europe and Russia typically bypass Lithuanian airspace due to political tensions and Western sanctions.
- In response to Russia's actions regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, the EU has coordinated a policy response that includes restricting overflights and discouraging leaders from attending public events in Russia, such as the Victory Day parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Red Square.
- Both Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and Latvian officials have publicly expressed their disapproval of Fico's trip to Russia, as he is the only EU head of state attending Moscow's 9 May celebrations, despite the EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas's urging EU leaders to abstain from Russia's military celebrations.
