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Latvia and Lithuania will not allow Fico to fly to Moscow this year either
๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ Slovakia /Elections & Politics

Latvia and Lithuania will not allow Fico to fly to Moscow this year either

From SME · (3d ago) Slovak Critical tone

Translated from Slovak, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Lithuania and Latvia will not permit Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to fly through their airspace to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations.
  • Fico stated that he will find an alternative route, similar to last year when Estonia blocked his flight path.
  • Fico criticized the Baltic states for preventing an EU member state's prime minister from flying over their territory.

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico faces another diplomatic hurdle as Lithuania and Latvia have announced they will not grant permission for his aircraft to traverse their airspace en route to Moscow for the May 9th Victory Day celebrations. This marks a repeat of last year's situation, where Fico was forced to take a lengthy southern detour through Hungary and Romania, avoiding Estonian airspace after it denied him passage.

Lithuania and Latvia have already informed us that they will not allow us to fly over their territory when flying to Moscow.

โ€” Robert FicoSlovak Prime Minister, announcing the denial of airspace access by the Baltic states.

Fico confirmed the denial of airspace access in a Facebook video, stating, "Lithuania and Latvia have already informed us that they will not allow us to fly over their territory when flying to Moscow." He added, "I will certainly find another route, as I did last year when Estonia torpedoed us." The Prime Minister expressed his frustration, criticizing the Baltic states for impeding travel within the European Union. "EU member states will not allow the prime minister of another member state to fly over their territory," he lamented.

This refusal by the Baltic states, who are among NATO's members most threatened by Russia, highlights the deep divisions within Europe regarding engagement with Moscow, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While Slovakia, under Fico's leadership, has adopted a more conciliatory stance towards Russia, the Baltic nations maintain a firm position against appeasement.

I will certainly find another route, as I did last year when Estonia torpedoed us.

โ€” Robert FicoSlovak Prime Minister, expressing determination to reach Moscow despite airspace restrictions.

From a Slovak perspective, this situation is viewed as an unnecessary obstruction by neighboring EU countries. While acknowledging the need for alternative routes, Fico's government frames the Baltic states' actions as unneighborly and contrary to the spirit of EU cooperation. The incident underscores the complex geopolitical landscape and the differing approaches to Russia among EU member states, with Slovakia finding itself at odds with its Baltic partners.

EU member states will not allow the prime minister of another member state to fly over their territory.

โ€” Robert FicoSlovak Prime Minister, criticizing the Baltic states' actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by SME in Slovak. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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