Estonia bans airspace transit to Moscow for May 9 parade

Estonia has prohibited the use of its airspace for flights to Moscow by foreign dignitaries intending to attend the May 9 Victory Day parade, marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Second World War.

“The use of Estonian airspace for travel to Moscow to attend the May 9 parade is out of the question," Caliber.Az quotes Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna as saying via foreign media.

"Estonia does not intend to support this event in any way,” he stressed.

Tallinn has already denied overflight permissions to VIP aircraft from Cuba and Brazil en route to Moscow.

The same policy will apply to other countries, with permissions either not being granted or subject to revocation if necessary.

To recap, Russia’s 80th anniversary Victory Day parade on May 9 will take place under the shadow of deepening geopolitical divisions, as many Western nations decline to attend while allies of Moscow prepare to take part.

Most EU countries—including Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the Baltic states—have confirmed they will not send representatives. Germany cited the ongoing war in Ukraine, while Hungary declined, citing its historical role in WWII. US President Donald Trump also turned down the invitation, calling the date too early for a visit after his re-election.

Other countries expected to stay away include Canada, the UK, Japan, Australia, Switzerland, Norway, and Ukraine, many of which were not invited amid strained relations.

In contrast, nations maintaining close ties with Russia, such as Belarus, China, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba, and several Central Asian republics, are expected to attend, though final lists have not been made public.

By Aghakazim Guliyev