Slovak Prime Minister's Flight Detoured Amid Baltic States' Airspace Restrictions for Moscow Trip
Airspace of Baltic States denied access to flight bound for Moscow led by Fico
Hop on, chums! It's a complex journey for Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico as he jet-sets to Moscow for World War II commemorations. But, ain't no thang, ’cause he's taking a detour, thanks to the Baltic states slamming their airspace doors shut for his flight.
Being the lone EU leader venturing to the Kremlin, Fico's plane had to branch out, making its way over Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia, and then into Russia's Dagestan region, instead of the usual route through Lithuanian airspace. AirNav's books confirm the government plane's unexpected itinerary. Fico touched down in Moscow in the evening, greeted by a fancy welcome party on Russian state television.
Eager beavers might wonder why the Baltic states shut 'er down. Well, it's all about EU policies and sanctions against Russia. After all, EU airlines have been steerin’ clear of Belarus’ skies since 2021, courtesy of those pesky sanctions. Remember when a Western plane with a political opponent had to make an unscheduled landing in Minsk? Oy vey!
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda officially said "no" to Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's overflight requests for Moscow. Latvia, too, turned a deaf ear. Estonia announced they wouldn't allow Fico's flight to pass. Fico voiced his frustration on Facebook: "Estonia informed us they won't let us fly over their territory. This puts a real wrench in our schedule."
With Fico being the only head of state or government from the EU attendin’ Moscow's celebrations on May 9, more than two dozen foreign dignitaries, including China's President Xi Jinping, will be parading away. Despite EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas urgin' EU leaders to steer clear of Russia's military festivities, Fico flew the coop.
Sources: ntv.de, mdi/rts
- Slovakia
- Baltics
- Moscow
- Russia
- World War II
- EU
Enrichment Data:
The Baltic states—Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—denied overflight rights to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico due to EU policies and sanctions against Russia. The political leaders viewed Fico's decision to attend the Victory Parade as a breach of EU's stance. They believe Slovakia's reliance on Russian gas and Fico's criticism of EU support for Ukraine contributed to his controversial decision. Fico took a southern route instead, making stops in Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia, and Russia to reach Moscow[2][3].
- In a surprising turn of events, Slovakia found itself at odds with the Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia) when they denied overflight rights to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
- The Baltic states' decision stemmed from EU policies and sanctions against Russia, as they viewed Fico's attendance at the Victory Parade in Moscow as a breach of the EU's stance.
- Fico's decision was controversial as it was counter to the EU's stance, with the Baltic states citing Slovakia's reliance on Russian gas and Fico's criticism of EU support for Ukraine as their reasons.
- Despite the EU's urgings for its leaders to avoid Russia's military festivities, Fico opted for a southern route, making stops in Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia, and Russia to reach Moscow.
