Poland is assessing Slovakia’s request to allow a government aircraft carrying Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) to fly to Moscow, Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman Maciej Wewior told Polish news portal Interia. The statement was later confirmed by Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki on Polsat News.
Bosacki said approval was not guaranteed. “It is hard to imagine that, for an event organized by a force that is still committing crimes against the civilian population in Ukraine, we would assist Mr Fico in getting there”, he said. He added that Poland was reviewing the request and had three more weeks to decide.
Fico plans to attend Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on 9 May. Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia have already refused to grant overflight permission.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said his country would not allow overflight for an event that glorifies the aggressor. He added that Estonian airspace could not be used to strengthen relations with Russia while Moscow continues its war against Ukraine and threatens Europe’s security. Lithuania and Latvia have taken a similar position.
Last year, the Slovak prime minister travelled to Moscow via a longer southern route through Hungary, Romania and the Black Sea region after the Baltic states denied permission for overflight.
