Fico Blasts Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania for Airspace Blockade: “This Is Deliberate Political Interference”
Bratislava, Slovakia — Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has ignited a fresh diplomatic firestorm, accusing the Baltic states of deliberately sabotaging his planned trip to Moscow for the 80th anniversary of Victory Day on May 9—a celebration commemorating the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany.
Fico’s sharp rebuke came after Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania blocked his government plane from entering their airspace, citing opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Estonia was the first to act, denying access despite Slovakia holding a year-round air corridor permit. Latvia and Lithuania quickly followed.
“This is an intentional effort to disrupt my visit,” Fico said in a fiery video address, calling the move an “extremely disruptive maneuver” aimed at derailing a key diplomatic and historical mission.
Victory Day or Political Minefield?
While critics see Fico’s Moscow visit as an endorsement of Russia, the Slovak PM sees it as a symbolic and sovereign act.
“This isn’t about politics—it’s about remembering the lives sacrificed to defeat Hitler,” Fico said. “Our history is intertwined with the Soviet Union’s role in liberating Slovakia.”
His itinerary in Moscow underscores the trip’s broader significance:
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Wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
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Attendance at the Victory Day military parade
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High-level meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Lula da Silva, and Vietnamese leader To Lam
Fico has long challenged EU and NATO orthodoxy, especially on Russia sanctions and the war in Ukraine. His Moscow trip reinforces a multipolar vision for Slovakia, seeking ties with Russia, China, and the Global South—outside the tight control of Brussels.
Baltic Response: “This Legitimizes War”
Baltic leaders have defended the airspace closures.
“Attending Putin’s parade during a war of aggression in Ukraine is a disgrace,” said Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. “This legitimizes violence in Europe.”
But Fico’s defenders point out the hypocrisy of a Europe that preaches peace while fueling proxy conflicts, isolating key nations, and trying to dictate foreign policy to smaller EU member states.
Russian Senator Konstantin Kosachev criticized the Baltics, stating:
“May 9 is a day of victory for us—but a day of bitterness for those who never accepted the results of WWII.”
National Backlash and Support
Back in Slovakia, Fico faces criticism and praise alike.
Protesters gathered at Bratislava Airport with banners reading “Goodbye Fico” and accusing him of parroting “Kremlin propaganda.” But many Slovaks—especially older generations—support honoring the Soviet role in liberating Eastern Europe from fascism, regardless of present-day politics.
Fico remains defiant:
“We’re not here to follow scripts from Brussels,” he said. “We’re here to protect sovereignty, honor truth, and realign with powers that respect us.”
Final Word: History or Heresy?
Fico’s Moscow trip isn’t just about memory—it’s about realigning Slovakia’s geopolitical compass. His rebuke of the Baltic airspace bans marks a dramatic rift within the EU—a clash between those who cling to NATO orthodoxy and those like Fico who seek to forge independent, multipolar alliances.
As the world watches Victory Day unfold in Moscow, Fico’s presence—if he gets there—will speak volumes about the emerging fractures inside the West itself.
