Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is facing difficulties in reaching Moscow for Russia's Victory Day celebrations. Lithuania has closed its airspace to flights that could transport him, and other Baltic states have implemented similar restrictions. This is despite the fact that Fico is the only EU leader planning to attend the May 9th celebrations.
The closure of airspace is a consequence of sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine and previous events involving Belarus. Alternative routes like Ukrainian airspace are also closed.
Latvia's Foreign Ministry declared it would not allow any flights to the parade, and Estonia reported no overflight request.
Fico's plans highlight his willingness to defy Brussels, contrasting with calls from the EU's chief diplomat to avoid Russia's military celebrations. His visit is seen by critics as furthering a shift in Slovakian foreign policy closer to Moscow. His recent comments blaming Winston Churchill rather than Stalin for post-war Europe's division further underscore this shift.