Slovak PM complains Lithuania and Latvia will block his flight to Moscow for 9 May parade

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has complained that Lithuania and Latvia will not allow his aircraft to pass through their airspace on his way to a military parade in Moscow on 9 May.

Source: Fico in a video address on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Moscow is set to hold events marking Victory Day in May, and Fico said two European countries had already announced they would not allow his aircraft to cross their airspace. [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, celebrated on 9 May – ed.]

Quote: "Lithuania and Latvia have already announced that they will not allow us to fly over their territory on the way to Moscow. Why? Member states of the European Union are not allowing the prime minister of another EU member state to fly over their territory."

Details: Fico travelled to Moscow for the same event last year despite calls from European officials, including EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, to boycott it.

"I am sure I will find another route, just as last year when Estonia disrupted our plans," the Slovak prime minister said.

Background:

• In December 2024, Fico said he considered it his "personal duty" to travel to Moscow on 9 May 2025.
• Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić were the only European leaders present as guests of Russian leader Vladimir Putin at the ceremonies in Moscow on 9 May.
• Fico arrived in Moscow on the evening of 8 May after the Baltic states banned his aircraft from crossing their airspace.
• Slovakia's opposition sharply criticised the prime minister for visiting Russia.

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