Lithuania and Latvia prohibit Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico from flying through their airspace to Moscow for the May 9 parade.

Two member countries of the European Union, Lithuania and Latvia, have announced that they will not allow Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to cross their airspace on his way to Moscow, where a parade is scheduled for May 9.

Fico confirmed this information during a statement and emphasized that he is not giving up on the trip, intending to find an alternative route.

Last year, he attended the same celebration, being one of the few European leaders who maintained close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Alongside Fico, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić was the only European leader present at the 2022 event. Fico, together with former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, also blocked several European Union initiatives related to Ukraine.

May 9 is a significant celebration in Russia, marking the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945.