Protests erupt once more in Slovakia over Fico’s pro-Moscow stance

A mass demonstration against Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico took place in the capital Bratislava on Friday, echoing last week’s protests. The rallies were driven by his pro-Moscow stance and his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It also came after Fico’s threats of last week to cut financial aid for over 130,000 Ukrainian refugees living in Slovakia, in retaliation for Ukraine’s decision to halt the delivery of Russian gas to Slovakia through its territory.

As thousands of people gathered, they waved EU and Slovak flags and held up various signs, some reading “Fico go to Moscow!” and “We want to live in a free country!”.

Local media has reported that protesters have been chanting “Fico to resign”, “Enough of Fico” and “Shame on the government”.

Fico’s meeting with Putin on 22 December in Moscow, where they discussed gas supplies and other matters, also touched on Slovakia’s proposal to serve as a neutral venue for peace talks on Ukraine.

Fico became the third EU leader to visit Putin in the Kremlin since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, following Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.