Lithuania and Latvia have officially denied flight clearance for the Serbian presidential aircraft scheduled to travel to Moscow for May 9 Victory Day commemorations, citing diplomatic sensitivities. The decisions come amid heightened tensions over Western attendance at Russian-hosted World War II memorial events.

Lithuanian authorities cited “technical reasons and diplomatic sensitivity” for their denial, while Latvia referenced “political sensitivity regarding the flight’s purpose” in their rejection. The bans effectively block President Aleksandar Vucic’s planned air route to Russia, forcing potential reconsideration of travel plans.

In contrast, Poland granted Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s plane permission to transit its airspace en route to Moscow, despite expressing strong disapproval of his attendance. The Polish Foreign Ministry statement emphasized no legal barriers existed to deny the flight, but condemned participation in what they called “Putin’s narrative” given Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

“While no international legal obstacles existed, we find it difficult to understand why leaders from nations claiming to support peace would accept invitations from Vladimir Putin,” the Polish statement read, referencing Russia’s “unprovoked military actions” causing mass displacement and civilian casualties.