Closed skies didn’t stop him: Slovak Prime Minister finds way to reach Moscow on May 9
Photo: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Getty Images)
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico traveled to Moscow despite the Baltic countries' ban on allowing his plane to pass through. As a result, the route had to be changed to a southern one, making the journey twice as long, Denník N reports.
Due to the Baltic countries closing their airspace to the Prime Minister's flight to Moscow, the plane carrying Fico altered its route. It is now heading to the Russian capital via a southern path — over Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia, and Russia.
The plane is expected to land in Moscow at 08:26 PM Central European Time.
Because of the detour, the flight will last around five hours, whereas the usual flight time from Bratislava to Moscow is approximately two and a half hours.
Along with Fico, several members of the Slovak parliament are expected to be on board.
Parade in Moscow on May 9
A large-scale parade will take place in Moscow on May 9 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Russian President Vladimir Putin invited several foreign leaders to the event, including Fico.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić was initially planned to attend the event, but he unexpectedly fell ill and had to cut short his visit to the US, where he was scheduled to meet with Donald Trump.
Instead, after unexpectedly returning from the US, Vučić was hospitalized.
Yesterday, it was also reported that Latvia and Lithuania banned planes from crossing their airspace on the way to Russia.
Later, Estonia closed its airspace, prohibiting flights heading to Moscow for the Victory Day parade.
In response, Fico stated that his visit to Moscow was being disrupted. According to him, the delay of the plane ruined the plans for bilateral meetings.
However, the latest reports indicate that Fico will not participate in the parade with Russian Presidnt Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow.
