Baltic States Support Ukraine, Deny Airspace to Slovak PM's Flight to Russia
In a show of support for Ukraine, the three Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have refused to allow Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's plane to fly through their airspace to attend Russia's Victory Day ceremony. The move demonstrates a firm stance against normalizing relations with Russia.
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- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 22:54
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(Central News Agency, Vilnius, 21st, by reporter Yu Yao-ju) The three Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have recently stated their refusal to allow Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to fly through their airspace to attend Russia's Victory Day commemorative events in Moscow next month. The three countries emphasized that this move is aimed at avoiding the promotion of relations with Russia and expressing support for Ukraine.
Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) reported that Fico expressed his dissatisfaction on the 19th with Lithuania and Latvia for refusing to let his special plane fly over their airspace, and questioned why a European Union member state would refuse transit to the prime minister of another member state.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna later stated in a statement that Estonia would also, as it did last year, refuse the use of its airspace for related flights. He pointed out that the parade held in Moscow on May 9 "aims to glorify the aggressor," and that Estonia would not allow its airspace to be used to strengthen relations with Russia.
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže also posted on the social media platform X on the 19th, stating that Latvia's position is clear: as long as Russia continues its aggression against Ukraine, it will not assist anyone in participating in related war propaganda activities.
LRT reported yesterday that the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it has not yet received an overflight request from Slovakia, but did not say whether a formal decision to ban transit has been made.
According to the latest LRT report, Lithuanian Presidential National Security Advisor Deividas Matulionis said in an interview with a local radio station on the 21st that Lithuania will not support any country in improving relations with an "aggressor state." This is Lithuania's clear and consistently held moral position, and he stressed that Fico's flight would not be allowed to pass through its airspace.
Russia holds a "Victory Day" military parade every year on May 9 to commemorate the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. However, since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, most EU and NATO countries have boycotted the event.
LRT reported that Fico attended the Russian Victory Day event last year, ignoring calls from European officials to boycott it. Facing obstruction from the Baltic states again this year, he said he would find an alternative route to Russia.
The Ukrainian government expressed its gratitude for the decision of the three Baltic states and called on the international community to continue to exert pressure on Russia. (Editor: Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150421
Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) reported that Fico expressed his dissatisfaction on the 19th with Lithuania and Latvia for refusing to let his special plane fly over their airspace, and questioned why a European Union member state would refuse transit to the prime minister of another member state.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna later stated in a statement that Estonia would also, as it did last year, refuse the use of its airspace for related flights. He pointed out that the parade held in Moscow on May 9 "aims to glorify the aggressor," and that Estonia would not allow its airspace to be used to strengthen relations with Russia.
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže also posted on the social media platform X on the 19th, stating that Latvia's position is clear: as long as Russia continues its aggression against Ukraine, it will not assist anyone in participating in related war propaganda activities.
LRT reported yesterday that the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it has not yet received an overflight request from Slovakia, but did not say whether a formal decision to ban transit has been made.
According to the latest LRT report, Lithuanian Presidential National Security Advisor Deividas Matulionis said in an interview with a local radio station on the 21st that Lithuania will not support any country in improving relations with an "aggressor state." This is Lithuania's clear and consistently held moral position, and he stressed that Fico's flight would not be allowed to pass through its airspace.
Russia holds a "Victory Day" military parade every year on May 9 to commemorate the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. However, since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, most EU and NATO countries have boycotted the event.
LRT reported that Fico attended the Russian Victory Day event last year, ignoring calls from European officials to boycott it. Facing obstruction from the Baltic states again this year, he said he would find an alternative route to Russia.
The Ukrainian government expressed its gratitude for the decision of the three Baltic states and called on the international community to continue to exert pressure on Russia. (Editor: Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150421