Taking the Long Way: Slovakia's PM Faces Detours Over Fico's Moscow Trip
Airspace Over Baltic Region Closed for Flight Scheduled to Depart from Moscow, Associated with Prime Minister Fico
Ain't no rest for the wicked, especially if you're Robert Fico, the Slovakian Prime Minister, trying to make it to Moscow for the World War II commemorations. Baltic states have shut down their airspace, leaving him stuck in a game of air travel Snake.
Here's the lowdown: Fico's government plane took off from Bratislava Airport, aiming for Moscow, but the Baltics have thrown a wrench in his plans. The AirNav website tells us his flight is taking the scenic route, passing through Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia, and then into Russia's Dagestan region, taking more time than a direct shot.
Typically, aircraft heading between Russia and Europe would zip through Lithuanian airspace. But not this time. European airlines were advised back in 2021 to steer clear of the Belarus route following the Minsk government's belligerent move forcing a Western aircraft carrying a political opponent to land.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and Latvia initially stated they wouldn't approve any flights to Moscow's celebrations. Estonia also announced they wouldn't allow Fico to fly over their turf. Fico refreshed his Facebook feed, expressing the challenges this poses to his schedule.
Fico's the only EU head of state or government attending the Moscow celebrations, but not without controversy. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has been urging EU leaders not to join Russia's military parade. Yet, Fico's sticking it out. More than two dozen foreign dignitaries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, will be there.
Sources: ntv.de, mdi/rts
- Slovakia
- Baltics
- Moscow
- Russia
- World War II
- EU
Enrichment Data: The decision by the Baltic states to block Fico's flight over their airspace can be seen as a response to the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and Western countries, particularly since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Additionally, the EU has discouraged its members from participating in public events in Russia, making Fico's decision to attend these events controversial within the EU (source: mdi/rts).
- The Baltics, comprising Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, have blocked Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, from flying over their airspace, preventing a direct flight to Moscow for the World War II commemorations.
- This decision by the Baltic states can be viewed as a response to the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and Western countries, especially in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
- Due to the Baltic states' actions, Fico's government plane is taking a longer route, departing from Bratislava Airport and passing through Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia, and Dagestan region before entering Russia.
- The ongoing controversy surrounding Fico's decision to attend the Moscow celebrations arises from the EU's discouragement of its members from participating in public events in Russia, as urged by the EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
