Contemplating a Drive to Russia: Statement from Fico
Renegade Prime Minister's Unorthodox Journey to Moscow
Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, spoke up about an unusual plan he considered due to a ban on his plane flying through the Baltic States. According to RIA Novosti, Fico mulled over the idea of reaching Moscow by car via Belarus.
Fico shared his thoughts, stating, "We had several ways to get here. Even by car through Belarus. Another alternative was via Kaliningrad. There were plenty of options, but we had a clear aim - we had to be in Moscow at 9:00 a.m. on the dot, and we managed it."
Previously, the Kremlin appreciated both Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico for attending the Victory Day Parade in Moscow, considering their actions as heroic deeds. Earlier, the Serbian president revealed that he committed to attending the parade, honoring his word to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Historical Context:
Behind the scenes, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's route to Moscow was quite eventful. Faced with airspace constraints, Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland blocked his official plane's passage, pushing him to think outside the box[5]. Unfortunately, he was also unable to fly over Ukraine, as its airspace has remained closed since 2022 due to Russia's invasion[5]. However, it seems that Fico's travel didn't necessarily involve traversing Belarus or Kaliningrad based on the available data. Instead, he dealt with logistical challenges and opted for a winding path to reach Moscow[5].
Once in Moscow, Fico attended the parade and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, just as he had intended. In response, Putin acknowledged Fico's determination to attend the celebration despite the hurdles[4]. Fico's actions created controversy, as they went against the EU's advice for leaders to steer clear of public events in Russia[2][3].
- Despite the EU's advice against public events in Russia, Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, braved the controversy and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
- In the midst of war-and-conflicts and political tensions, the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, and Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, were honored by the Kremlin for attending the Victory Day Parade in Moscow, demonstrating their commitment to politics beyond the general-news headlines.
