Fico discusses potential strategies for his planned trip to Moscow
CATCHING THE RIDE TO MOSCOW
MOSCOW, May 9 - RIA Novosti. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico found himself cruising through unexpected channels after the bridges over the Baltics were blocked for his plane on its journey to Russia. Contemplating options as drastic as hitting the road by car via Belarus, Fico was in a pickle, but he managed to find a way - a detour through Kaliningrad.
On a roll on Wednesday, Fico announced that Estonia had rejected his special aircraft's passage through its sky, forcing a sudden rethink of his travel plans. Dubbing it a deliberate move to derail his scheduled date with Russia, Fico didn't mince words. According to the Slovak newspaper Pravda, other nations in the Baltic belt also refused passage, namely Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. By Thursday night, Fico had made it to Russia, and bright and early on Friday, attended the Victory Day fête.
"We had a smorgasbord of alternatives to get our boots on Russian soil," Fico shared during a heart-to-heart with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Even a scenic drive through Belarus was on the table. Another intriguing possibility was via Kaliningrad. With a multitude of options, we kept our eyes on the prize - to be in Moscow dodging the frost by 9 a.m., and we made the cut!"
BEHIND THE CURTAINS: A POLITICAL TANGLE
The government special aircraft, bearing Prime Minister Robert Fico, faced aЯ No-fly zone over Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia due to the political climate surrounding his visit. The Baltic nations nixed the overflights primarily due to the political sensitivity and diplomatic implications of the trip. The visit was for the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, which the Baltic nations deemed incompatible with EU values.
- Latvia justified the denial of diplomatic passes for the flights based on the political sensitivity of the flight's purpose.[4][5]
- Lithuania cited "technical and diplomatic sensitivity" as the reason for their refusal.[5]
- Estonia initially offered Slovakia the use of its airspace under a year-round permit for government flights, but later withdrew the offer, emphatically stating that Estonia would have no part in the Victory Day event whatsoever.[3][4][5]
In essence, the decision showcased the Baltic states' stance against helping or facilitating events they believe run counter to EU principles.
- Despite facing a no-fly zone over Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia due to the political climate surrounding his visit, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico managed to find an alternative route to Moscow for the Victory Day celebration, considering a scenic drive through Belarus and a possible detour via Kaliningrad.
- The political tangles surrounding Prime Minister Robert Fico's visit to Moscow for the Victory Day celebrations were evident, with Latvia justifying the denial of diplomatic passes for the flights based on the political sensitivity of the flight's purpose, Lithuania citing technical and diplomatic sensitivity, and Estonia initially offering Slovakia the use of its airspace under a year-round permit but later withdrawing the offer in solidarity with EU values against the Victory Day event.
