Slovakia accuses Baltic states of breaching EU aviation rules

Slovakia has accused Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania of violating European Union aviation regulations after the three Baltic nations barred Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s aircraft from entering their airspace en route to Moscow.

Slovak MEP Ľuboš Blaha criticised the decision, claiming it was in breach of EU and NATO standards, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Speaking to journalists, Blaha said: “Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania decided they would not allow us – meaning Prime Minister Fico and his delegation – to fly through their airspace. It’s simply absurd. This contradicts all the rules of the European Union, NATO, and other international norms. They simply said ‘no’.”

The Baltic states have not yet officially commented on the allegations, but their move appears to be in line with broader EU efforts to isolate Russia diplomatically following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Prime Minister Fico, who has taken a more conciliatory stance towards Moscow compared with other EU leaders, has faced criticism within the bloc for his foreign policy approach.

To recall, on May 7, 2025, Lithuania closed its airspace to flights carrying Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić en route to Moscow for Russia's Victory Day celebrations on May 9. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda cited safety concerns due to GPS disturbances in the region as the reason for the closure.

Following Lithuania's decision, other Baltic states, including Latvia and Estonia, also imposed similar restrictions, further complicating Fico's travel plans. Despite these obstacles, Fico sought alternative routes to attend the event, where over two dozen foreign leaders, including China's President Xi Jinping, were expected.

Fico's intention to participate in the Moscow celebrations has drawn criticism within the European Union, highlighting divisions over relations with Russia amid ongoing tensions related to the conflict in Ukraine.

By Aghakazim Guliyev