Circuitous Flight for Fico: Baltic States Block Airspace for Moscow Visit
Airspace over the Baltic States is shut down for Fico's flight to Moscow.
In a twist of events, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's journey to Moscow for World War II commemorations takes an unexpected route. The Baltic states have denied overflight permission for his plane, forcing it to fly over Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia, and Dagestan to reach Russia.
The denial stems from Fico's controversial Russia-friendly stance. In airspace navigation websites, his government plane departed Bratislava Airport mid-afternoon, airlifting him to Moscow. Despite the detour, he arrived in the evening, greeted by a delegation at the airport, as broadcast on Russian state television.
Usually, European aircraft heading to Russia would traverse Lithuanian airspace due to 2021 advisories. This was a precaution against the shorter, contested Belarus route, which was part of sanctions against the Minsk government following the forced landing of a Western aircraft carrying a political dissident.
Both Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and Latvia had pledged to bar overflights for Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Estonia declined approval for flying over its territory, as Fico announced on his Facebook page. This complicates his already challenging schedule.
Amidst this, Fico is the sole head of state or government from the EU scheduled to attend the Moscow celebrations on May 9. The parade welcomed over two dozen foreign dignitaries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Fico's participation in Moscow's military remembrances defies the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas' advice against EU leaders attending such events amidst Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
- Slovakia
- Baltics
- Moscow
- Russia
- World War II
- EU
These airspace restrictions are more than just geographical; they represent the EU's collective disapproval of Fico's diplomatic engagements with Russia. Fico's unwavering support for Russia and his government's stance on Ukraine stance haven't endeared him to the EU. His defiant attitude toward EU sanctions against Russia further fuels the tension. The denial of airspace access is a symbolic gesture against Fico's ambivalent foreign policy. (Adapted from ntv.de, mdi/rts)
- The Baltic states' denial of overflight permission for Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's plane to Russia is a symbolic gesture against his ambivalent foreign policy.
- Slovakia's Prime Minister Fico's journey to Moscow for World War II commemorations takes a detour due to the Baltics blocking airspace.
- The EU's collective disapproval of Fico's diplomatic engagements with Russia is evident in the airspace restrictions imposed by the Baltics.
- Despite the denial and the challenging detour, Slovakia's Prime Minister Fico is still the sole head of state or government from the EU scheduled to attend the Moscow celebrations on May 9.
