Grooving around Europe's Airspace: Slovak Prime Minister's Unexpected Detour for Moscow Trip
Airspace Over Baltic States Closed for Flight Direction to Moscow belonging to Fico
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Sly as a fox on the European skies, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's got some unexpected twists and turns ahead of him. His soaring flight to Moscow for World War II commemorations hits a little roadblock; the Baltic states have blocked his flight path, making for a scenic yet troublesome journey.
Following suit, Fico's plane departed from Bratislava Airport in the afternoon, scheduling a Moscow landing at approximately 21:30 local time (20:30 CET). The flight route, however, reads more like a round-the-world adventure, passing through Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia, and ultimately into Russia's Dagestan region. Normally, aircraft en-route to Russia and Europe would take the Lithuanian airspace shortcut. But not anymore—entire regions have turned their noses up at a little birdie named Fico.
You see, Western airlines were instructed way back in the day (2021, to be precise) to nix the Belarusian route as part of sanctions against the Minsk government. After all, no one wants a fighter jet following them around like an unwanted shadow.
Hold your horses, there's more:
- Latvia and Lithuania have officially nixed Fico's flight over their territories due to "technical and diplomatic sensitivity" and "political sensitivity regarding the purpose of the flight." Yikes, it sounds like Fico's trip up north is causing some serious tension!
- Estonia, feeling left out of the party, confirmed that Slovakia, as a NATO and EU member, could essentially waltz through their airspace without a second thought. Still, in the current circumstances, Estonia took a stand alongside its Baltic brothers and sisters.
In other words, the Baltic states are sending a loud-and-clear message to Russia with their diplomatic power moves: we don't approve of your actions and we're feeling the European and Western vibe!
[Source: ntv.de, mdi/rts]
- Slovakia
- Baltics
- Moscow
- Russia
- World War II
- EU
Alas, Fico remains the lone EU head-honcho jaunting off to Moscow for World War II anniversary celebrations on May 9, hanging out with more than two dozen foreign dignitaries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Go ahead, Robert, take a detour—look at it as a little adventure! Just try not to run into any fighter jets along the way. [Smile]
- The Slovak Prime Minister's flight route to Moscow has been redirected due to the Baltic states' decision to block his overflights, leading to an unforeseen journey through Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia, and ultimately Dagestan region.
- As EU member states, both Latvia and Lithuania have rejected Fico's flight over their territories, citing "technical and diplomatic sensitivity" and "political sensitivity regarding the purpose of the flight."
- Slovakia, while not joining the Baltic states in blocking Fico's flight, has its own diplomatic concerns as Fico is the only EU head-honcho attending the World War II anniversary celebrations in Moscow on May 9.
- The Baltic states' actions can be interpreted as a collective diplomatic protest against Russia, demonstrating their commitment to European and Western principles.
