Lithuania and Latvia closed their airspace to Fico's plane en route to Moscow

Lithuania and Latvia have officially banned Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s plane from flying over their territories during his planned visit to the Russian capital on May 9. The Slovak leader confirmed receiving the refusal, calling the actions of the EU member states unprecedented, but assured that he would use an alternative route. 

DW reports this, citing Fico’s video address.

The authorities of the Baltic states justify their decision by citing the political and diplomatic sensitivity of the purpose of the trip to the aggressor state. A similar ban by Riga and Vilnius was in effect last year as well, when the leaders of Slovakia and Serbia had to reroute their flights due to the refusal to grant access to airspace. Poland also took the same stance regarding the Slovak prime minister’s flight, closing its airspace to this flight.

The European Union is once again warning European politicians against visiting Moscow for celebrations that Russia uses to promote its aggressive policies. Last year, events in the Russian capital were attended by representatives of only 27 countries, predominantly leaders of nations under the Kremlin’s influence. Despite calls from allies for unity, Robert Fico continues to maintain direct contacts with the Russian leadership.

Slovakia will file a lawsuit with the EU Court in the coming days seeking to ban Russian gas imports.

Bratislava is prepared to block new sanctions against Russia until oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline, but will not stand in the way of a €90 billion loan to Ukraine.