Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said Estonians will not allow planes to use their airspace en route to the parade in Moscow, ERR News reports.
Russia will mark the end of World War II with its annual military parade on the 9th of May, and several world leaders are expected to attend the 81st anniversary in Moscow. Officials from both Europe and NATO are largely boycotting the event, especially given the strained relations with the Kremlin following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the ongoing aggression in Ukraine. Despite this, Slovakia has regularly opposed European Union support for Kiev.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced on the 18th of April that Latvia and Lithuania had blocked the use of their airspace for a flight to Moscow, and Tsahkna confirmed that Estonia would do the same.
The Baltic states also blocked use of their airspace to get to Moscow last year, showing solidarity with Ukraine.
Tsahkna’s statement said that Fico would also not receive permission this year to use Estonian airspace for a flight to the parade in Moscow, which was designed to glorify an aggressor. The minister added that Estonia’s position is clear – no country will be allowed to use Estonian airspace to strengthen ties with Moscow at a time when Russia continues to violate international law and wage aggression against Ukraine, threatening the security of all of Europe.
Fico responded to the statement by saying that he would find another way, just like last year.
Estonia, EU and NATO countries follow a common procedure for issuing flight and landing permits for official visits, however, the Estonian Foreign Ministry has indicated that this does not apply when it comes to using Estonian airspace for travel to Russia.
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