Slovakian Prime Minister Faces Roadblock in Flight to Moscow for WWII Commemorations
Road Closure in Baltic Skies for Fico's Russian Flight
In a political standoff, Robert Fico, the Slovakian Prime Minister with pro-Russian leanings, faces a detour on his way to Moscow for World War II commemorations. The Baltic states have shut their airspace to Fico's aircraft, making his journey more complex.
The afternoon government plane took off from Bratislava airport and ascended over Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia, and into Russia's Dagestan region, as per AirNav data. Going the extra mile, Fico made it to Moscow in the evening where he was warmly welcomed by a delegation at the airport, as broadcast on Russian state television.
Usually, aircraft traveling between Russia and Europe traverse Lithuanian airspace. However, sanctions against the Minsk government prompted European airlines to steer clear of the shorter Belarus route in 2021.
The Baltic trio (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) is unequivocal about its stance. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda publicly declared his intention to block Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's flights to Moscow. Latvia followed suit, refusing flights for the Moscow celebrations. Estonia, via Fico's Facebook page, declared that they would not approve flights over their territory, making Fico's schedule a challenge.
Fico is the sole head of state or government from the European Union attending the Moscow celebrations on May 9. Over two dozen foreign dignitaries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, will also participate in the parade. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas urged EU leaders to abstain from Russia's military celebrations [ntv.de, mdi/rts].
- Slovakia
- Baltics
- Moscow
- Russia
- World War II
- EU
Insights:
This move by the Baltic states is perceived as a potent message amidst escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly Russia's involvement in Ukraine. Fico's willful flouting of the EU's informal boycott of public events in Russia contributes to the Baltic states' decision 3.
- The Soviet Union's World War II legacy remains a contentious issue, with Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, unwittingly embroiled in a political drama as the Baltic states block his flights to Moscow.
- Despite the Baltics' (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) unyielding stance against Fico's visit to Moscow, he successfully navigated through other airspaces and was eventually welcomed in Russia.
- The Baltic states' decision to deny airspace to Slovakia and Serbia in their journey to Moscow for World War II commemorations serves as a poignant statement amidst the escalating geopolitical tensions concerning Russia's actions in Ukraine.
- European Union leaders are urged to abstain from Russia's military celebrations, with exceptions such as Slovakia's Fico, who displays pro-Russian leanings, attending the ceremonies in Moscow.
