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I talk about my journey to Moscow: Within the EU, partners should not prohibit flights

by AI | 12.May 2025 | Europe in brief AI

Robert Fico defended himself against the words of Kaja Kallas and criticized the three Baltic countries for banning his plane from flying to Moscow.

Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico criticized the three Baltic countries for banning his plane from flying over. PHOTO: TASR

Bratislava – Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Fico (Smer-SD) is not afraid of worsening relations with partners in the European Union (EU) and NATO in connection with his trip to Moscow for the celebrations marking the end of World War II. In response to criticism of his trip from several representatives of other member countries of both communities, he criticized the ban on flights over the Baltic states, which forced him to change his route. This is reported by TASR.

“Such a thing is not appropriate among partners,” the Prime Minister stated at a press conference on Sunday. He is convinced that the ban was meant to thwart his trip to Moscow. “It couldn’t stop me; I had several route options,” Fico said.

The Prime Minister again criticized the statements of the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.

“She is not my superior; she has no right to tell me what I should and should not do,” Fico exclaimed.

He pointed out that it was during the bilateral talks in Moscow that he learned important information that European diplomacy could have already worked with, whether it concerns the initiative to convene direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul or the development of trade relations between the USA and China.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Slovak Republic Robert Kaliňák (Smer-SD) also emphasized the importance of bilateral talks at the press conference, drawing attention to the possibility of the Slovak defense industry expanding into new markets in South America and Southeast Asia. “Vietnam and Brazil are large countries that serve as gateways to the regions,” Kaliňák noted in connection with Fico’s discussions with representatives of Vietnam and Brazil. (May 11)

“Such a thing is not appropriate among partners.” Robert Fico