Baltic airspace blockade disrupts leaders' plans for Moscow trip
Brazil, Cuba, and Serbia did not receive permission to use the airspace of the Baltic countries for their leaders' flights to Moscow. On Thursday, Victory Day celebrations will take place there.
- The actions taken by the three Baltic countries are the right step – stated Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa on Wednesday, when asked at a press conference about blocking the flight of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić's plane through the Baltic countries on his way to Moscow.
Government services did not issue a statement on this matter. Earlier, media reported that the authorities of Latvia, by not granting permission for the Serbian plane to fly over their country, cited the "politically sensitive" nature of the trip. Meanwhile, Lithuania, as reported by the BNS agency, justified the refusal with "technical and diplomatic reasons."
The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that Serbia did not seek permission to use Estonian airspace, but Estonia's position is "in line" with that of Latvia and Lithuania. "Simultaneously, the requests from Cuba and Brazil were rejected," the statement emphasised, as cited by ERR radio.
Media in Tallinn and Riga also noted that the travel plans to Moscow of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico were "problematic," also for Poland. According to Estonian ministry spokesperson Brita Kikas, Slovakia may use Estonian airspace under permissions granted to EU and NATO member states – and for this purpose, no permission is required, only notification of the flight, which was reported to the civil aviation authority.
Putin organises Victory Day parade
At the traditional parade in Moscow, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet army's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, several dozen foreign leaders are expected. Among Vladimir Putin's guests will be, among others, China's leader Xi Jinping, who went to Moscow for a several-day visit. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro are also expected. Invitations were also sent to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, as well as delegations from Vietnam and Burkina Faso.
Almost all leaders of EU and NATO countries are boycotting the event in Moscow due to the West's strained relations with Russia following its full-scale aggression against Ukraine in 2022. The exception is Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who announced his participation in the Moscow ceremonies.
