Thousands-strong rally was held in Slovakian capital Bratislava on Friday in protest against the government’s drive to seek closer ties with Russia despite Kremlin’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Thousands of protesters gathered in a central square in Bratislava chanting slogans: “We are Europe”, “We are ashamed of Fico” and “We will not give up on Slovakia”.
The protesters voiced concerns over their country’s rapprochement with Russia spearheaded by the country’s far-right, nationalist Prime Minister Robert Fico who is Kremlin’s close ally. After returning to power in 2023, Fico has been drawing the European Union nation closer to Russia and has reduced military aid to Ukraine.
Fico has also criticized Kyiv’s decision to terminate the gas deal that enabled the supply of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine’s territory. He accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zlenskiy of depriving Slovakia of annual transit fee worth 500 million euros. In response to Kyiv’s decision, Fico threatened to stop electricity supplies and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and said Bratislava might reduced aid for Ukrainian refugees in his country.
Fico travelled to Moscow last month to secure gas supplies to his country. Addressing a parliament on Friday, Fico said Russian President Vladimir Putin had guaranteed gas supplies for Braislava, describing Russia as a reliable partner.
