Airspace Over Baltic States Closed for Fico's Aircraft En route to Moscow
Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, facing criticism for his pro-Russia stance, found himself in a spot of bother as several European countries refused her aircraft passage to Moscow for a visit marking the end of World War II. The Baltic States and Poland shut their airspace, making Fico's journey a complex and roundabout one.
According to flight data from AirNav, Fico's government plane took off from Bratislava airport and was scheduled to land in Moscow at 21:30 local time (20:30 CET). Instead of taking the traditional route through Lithuanian airspace, the plane was forced to travel over Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia, and Dagestan due to the refusal of European airspace.
Usually, aircraft traveling between Russia and Europe use Lithuanian airspace because of advice given to European airlines in 2021 to avoid the shorter route over Belarus. This was a response to the sanctions against the Minsk government, which had forced a Western plane carrying a political opponent to land with a fighter jet[1]. In light of this, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda announced his intention to block overflights for Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to Moscow[1]. Latvia had stated earlier that it would not approve flights to the Moscow celebrations[1]. Estonia also declared it would not allow Fico's plane to fly over its territory, leaving Fico with a challenging schedule[2].
In spite of EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas urging EU leaders not to participate in Russia's military celebrations, Fico decided to attend[1]. He is, in fact, the only head of state or government of the European Union to attend the celebrations in Moscow on May 9[1]. The parade will be graced by more than two dozen foreign dignitaries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping[1].
[1] - Source: Relevant enrichment data on the broader context and reasons for denying airspace access[2] - Source: Relevant enrichment data on the alternative southern route taken by Fico's plane and the refusal of European airspace[3] - Source: Relevant enrichment data on the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine and the EU's stance on these issues[4] - Source: Relevant enrichment data on the boycott of public events in Russia by many EU countries due to its invasion of Ukraine
(This article was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies or errors. Please fact-check before relying on the information.)
- Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, along with other Baltic States and Poland, refused airspace passage for Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico's plane heading to Moscow, leading Fico to take an indirect route involving Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia, and Dagestan.
- Fico's decision to attend Russia's military celebrations in Moscow on May 9 marks him as the only head of state or government of the European Union to do so, despite EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas urging leaders not to participate due to ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
- In addition to Fico, more than two dozen foreign dignitaries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, are expected to attend the military parade in Moscow, highlighting the significance of these celebrations despite the EU's stance against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
- The refusal of airspace access by several European countries, such as Latvia, Estonia, and probable intentions by Lithuania and Serbia, could be associated with the EU's continued criticism and sanctions against Russia regarding its stance in war-and-conflicts, politics, and general news.
