Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has hit out at the globalist-led governments of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, accusing them of deliberately sabotaging his plans to attend the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9.
The event, marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany, is a key moment for Fico to honor the Soviet sacrifices in World War II—something he believes is crucial for acknowledging history and the defeat of the physical manifestation of Hitler’s odious ideology.
Fico, a nationalist social democrat, aimed his ire squarely at Estonia, which recently closed its airspace to his government plane despite Slovakia having a year-round permit to use the route. Similar refusals from Latvia and Lithuania quickly followed this action, all three countries citing their opposition to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Slovak media reported.
Estonia’s Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna, argued that the Slovak Prime Minister’s participation in Moscow’s commemoration amounted to legitimizing a “war in Europe.”
“This is an intentional effort to disrupt my visit and the official 80th-anniversary celebrations of World War II,” Fico declared in a video message shared on Facebook. He further described the closure as an “extremely disruptive” maneuver that threatened to derail his tightly scheduled diplomatic mission.
Without access to Estonian airspace, Fico fears that he risks missing key events such as the wreath-laying at the Unknown Soldier’s grave and the much-anticipated Victory Day parade in Moscow. Despite the setback, Fico reassured the public that his team was scrambling to find alternative flight paths to ensure he could still make it to the Russian capital in time.
His visit to Moscow is more than a ceremonial one; Fico is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Vietnamese Communist Party leader To Lam.
The refusal to allow Fico’s plane to fly through their airspace is part of a broader trend of escalating tensions between the Baltic states and Russia. Konstantin Kosachev, vice speaker of Russia’s upper house, called the actions of the Baltic governments “hostile,” accusing them of still struggling to reconcile the results of World War II. “For these nations, May 9 is not a day of victory but of defeat,” he stated, emphasizing the historical disconnect between Russia and its Baltic neighbors.
Fico, who has long criticized the EU’s stance on Russia, views his Moscow trip as an important opportunity to push back against what he sees as a Western tendency to isolate Russia and promote an “Iron Curtain” mentality.
He strongly rejected accusations that attending the parade was an endorsement of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. “Our history with the Soviet Union is deeply tied to the liberation of Slovakia from Nazi occupation. This isn’t about current political conflicts; it’s about honoring history and the lives lost,” Fico explained.
Fico isn’t without his fair share of critics. Some have voiced their displeasure over his trip, with some even protesting at Bratislava Airport. A banner reading “Goodbye Fico” was displayed near the airport’s entrance, accusing him of supporting “Kremlin propaganda” with his trip to Moscow.
Fico has been firm in his response. “We are not here to follow the scripts written in Brussels or any other Western capital,” he stated. “We are here to stand for our own sovereignty, respect the true history of the war, and reinforce our relationships with Russia, China, and other global powers. This is key to Slovakia’s future.”
With the political stakes higher than ever, Fico’s visit to Moscow is not just about history—it’s about positioning Slovakia within the rapidly and drastically shifting global power dynamics.
Baltic States Block Airspace to Vucic and Fico Amid Moscow Trip for Victory Day Celebrations
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