The diplomatic spat erupted as Lithuania and Latvia formally withheld permission for Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to utilize their national airspaces on his travels to Moscow for the commemorations of Victory Day on May 9th. This move by the Baltic states generated significant international diplomatic buzz, especially given the historical and political context of the region and its relationship with Russia. Fico, a prominent political figure, did not mince words in his response, stating that despite the explicit denial of air rights by Lithuania and Latvia, he would nonetheless secure an alternative travel route. He emphasized that his journey was fundamentally about acknowledging history and paying deep respects to the soldiers—both Soviet and allied—who sacrificed their lives during the liberation efforts in Slovakia from Nazi occupation.
Speaking to the press, Fico articulated his frustration regarding the perceived obstruction, noting that such a denial of flight rights to a prime minister of an EU member state was highly irregular. He declared, “Lithuania and Latvia have already informed us that they will not allow us to fly over their territory on the route to Moscow. So be it,”, suggesting a broader systemic issue within EU cooperation. To counter this diplomatic hurdle, Fico made it clear that he would overcome any geographical obstacle, stating, “I will certainly find another route, as I did last year when Estonia torpedoed us,”. This anecdote highlighted a prior disagreement with a Baltic state over air passage, reinforcing his resolve to reach Moscow despite the current political headwinds from Lithuania and Latvia. He firmly maintained that the geopolitical stance of the Baltic nations regarding WWII history could not inhibit his desire to express gratitude for Slovakia’s post-Nazi liberation.
Fico’s planned journey was framed as a deeply historical and sentimental