Baltics Close Airspace to Leaders Traveling to Russia for May 9 Celebrations

The Baltic states are firmly refusing to allow foreign leaders to use their airspace en route to Moscow for Russia’s May 9 Victory Day celebrations, in a coordinated political move against a propaganda event hosted by a state waging war in Europe, The Gaze reports, referencing ERR.

Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna said that the use of Estonian airspace by foreign dignitaries traveling to Russia for the ceremony is “out of the question.”

“The use of Estonian airspace to go to Moscow for the May 9 parade is out of the question and Estonia does not intend to support the event in any way,” Tsahkna said in an official statement.

“Moreover, we have stressed to our European Union colleagues that as Russia is a country that launched and continues a war in Europe, participation in propaganda events organised by them should be ruled out.”

The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that it has already denied access to its airspace for Cuban and Brazilian VIP flights, and will withhold or suspend any future requests for May 9-related flights.

On Friday, Russia will host a major event in Moscow to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The ceremony, largely boycotted by NATO and EU leaders, is expected to draw dozens of foreign leaders — many from nations maintaining closer ties to Moscow.

As The Gaze previously reported, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a firm statement ahead of Russia’s planned May 9 military parade in Moscow, condemning any potential participation of foreign military personnel and warning it would be seen as a desecration of historical memory and complicity in Russia’s war crimes. 

Additionally, the European Commission has warned that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s potential participation in Russia’s Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9 would seriously damage Serbia’s European Union membership aspirations.