Mass Protests in Slovakia's Capital and Other Cities Against Prime Minister Robert Fico's Pro-Russia Policies

Mass Protests in Slovakia's Capital and Other Cities Against Prime Minister Robert Fico's Pro-Russia Policies

Bratislava, Slovakia — Thousands of people took to the streets on Friday in Slovakia's capital and other cities to protest against Prime Minister Robert Fico's pro-Russia policies. The protests also spread to cities outside the country, including Prague in the Czech Republic and Krakow in Poland.

A new wave of protests erupted following Fico's unexpected trip to Moscow and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Lucia Štasselová, an organizer from the non-governmental organization "Peace for Ukraine," said at a rally in Bratislava, "Our neighbors are facing a massive military aggression, while the entire civilized and democratic world condemns this aggression."

The crowd chanted slogans against Fico, saying, "We are ashamed of Fico."
Fico stated that his Moscow visit was a response to Ukraine's decision to halt Russian gas supplies. He threatened to cut off electricity supplies to Ukraine, reduce support for Ukrainian refugees, halt humanitarian aid, and block EU financial assistance to Ukraine.

Former Foreign Minister Rastislav Káčer remarked, "Fico is acting as an agent of a foreign power."
Organizers reported that protests took place in more than a dozen locations, including Slovakia, Prague, and Krakow, and that the protests would continue.

Robert Fico's stance on Russia sharply diverges from the European mainstream. He returned to power last year after his leftist party Smer (Direction) won a parliamentary election on a pro-Russia and anti-American platform. Since then, he has ended Slovakia's military aid to Ukraine, criticized EU sanctions on Russia, and vowed to block Ukraine's efforts to join NATO.