The Baltics Block Slovakia's Skies, Disrupting Fico's Moscow Journey
Airspace over the Baltic States is blocked for aircraft carrying Slovak politician Fico's flight to Moscow.
Take a detour, Mr. Fico! The Baltic states have given a cold shoulder to Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico's flight to Moscow for World War II commemorations, forcing him to veer off course.
The aircraft carrying Slovakia's Russia-friendly leader departed from Bratislava and traversed through Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia, and finally Dagestan in Russia. However, due to the closed airspace of the Baltic states, Fico arrived in Moscow a bit later than expected.
Typically, planes bound for Russia from Europe would fly over Lithuania, given their shorter route over Belarus was advisably avoided after EU sanctions in 2021. These sanctions were implemented following an incident where a Western plane carrying a political opponent was forced to land in Belarus under questionable circumstances.
With Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and Latvian authorities making public statements against granting overflight permissions for Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's flights to Moscow, the Baltics' decision was not a secret. Estonia also stated that they would deny permission because some countries hadn't filed appropriate requests. Fico confirmed this on his Facebook page, expressing his concern over the challenging schedule this created.
Despite the EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urging EU leaders not to participate in Russia's military celebrations, Fico persisted in his decision to attend, marking him as the only head of state or government from the EU present at the Moscow celebrations on May 9. The event will see more than two dozen foreign dignitaries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, in attendance.
The Baltic states' airspace closure is a part of larger tensions between Russia and its neighbors. The Baltics view May 9 as a day of defeat, in contrast to Russia's narrative of victory. Russian officials have criticized these actions, labeling them hostile and rooted in unresolved historical grievances.
With the Baltics indicating their opposition to Fico's visit, the Slovakian Prime Minister feels they are deliberately trying to sabotage his visit, raising concerns about missing essential commemorations like the wreath-laying ceremony and the Victory Day parade in Moscow.
Sources: ntv.de, mdi/rts
- Slovakia
- Baltics
- Moscow
- Russia
- World War II
- EU
Insights:
- The Baltic states' airspace closure is a part of the larger diplomatic stance against Russia's Victory Day celebrations, aligning with efforts by the Baltic countries and other EU members to diplomatically isolate Russia amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
- Baltic Prime Minister Evika Silina described the airspace bans as "the right step" given the political situation.
- Fico's attendance at the Moscow parade is seen as defiance of EU pressure, underscoring his critical stance on the EU's Russia policy.
- The Baltics, in line with other EU members, have taken a diplomatic stance against Russia, demonstrated by their closure of airspace, impeding Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico's journey to Moscow for World War II commemorations.
- Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, expressed concern over the Baltics' decision to deny overflight permissions, suggesting that it could potentially cause him to miss essential commemorations in Moscow.
- In a show of solidarity with the Baltics, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Latvian authorities, and Estonia announced their intentions to deny overflight permissions for Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's flights to Moscow.
- Amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions and the Baltics' opposition, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico persisted in his decision to attend Russia's military celebrations in Moscow, marking him as the only head of state or government from the EU present at the events on May 9.
