Poland denies closing airspace for Slovak MPs during their trip to Moscow

The Polish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has denied a statement made by Slovak deputy Andrej Danko, who claimed that Poland had closed its airspace during a flight of the Slovak delegation to Moscow.

Paweł Wroński, spokesman for the Polish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, stated that Poland did not deny the Slovak delegation, which started its visit to Moscow on Sunday, 12 January, the possibility of flying over its territory.

"We did not refuse the Slovak side permission to fly. They simply sent us incomplete documents without a note. Then, during the review process, when they were asked to complete them, they informed us of a change in their route," Wroński said in a comment to Polskie Radio.

Polskie Radio reported that Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz was asked about Polish-Slovak relations in connection with the incident that took place on Sunday in the city of Szczecin. He responded that Polish-Slovak relations are good.

"As for the direction of the flight, I recommend flying to Warsaw, not Moscow," he stated.

On 12 January, a group of far-right Slovak MPs, led by Andrej Danko, Deputy Speaker and leader of the nationalist Slovak National Party, departed for Russia on a visit set to last several days. They intend to discuss the continuation of Russian gas deliveries after transit through Ukraine has become impossible.

Announcing the trip to Russia, Danko said he would "consider it an honour" to be able to speak at the State Duma of the Russian Federation.

The Embassy of Ukraine expressed outrage at the Slovak MPs’ plans, noting that such actions contribute to the legitimisation of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The Slovak MPs' trip follows a controversial visit to Moscow in December 2024 by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.