Europe Slovakia: Thousands protest against pro-Russian government
Thousands of people protested against the Ukraine policy of left-wing nationalist Prime Minister Robert Fico in 15 Slovakian cities on Friday evening. They accused him of pursuing a pro-Russian course and "betraying" Western allies and neighboring Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia. According to the organizers, 15,000 people gathered in front of the government office on Freedom Square in Bratislava alone.
10.01.2025, 21:04
SDA
The rallies were called by the citizens' initiative "Mier Ukrajine" (Peace to Ukraine). It has become known above all for its commitment to arms deliveries to Kiev.
The protests were triggered by Fico's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow shortly before Christmas. Fico defended this trip to the parliament's Europe Committee this morning: in view of a Ukrainian transit stop for Russian gas, he had explored alternative options with Putin and then presented these to the EU Commission in Brussels. Slovakia, an EU and NATO member state, is more dependent on Russian gas than almost any other country in Europe.
Protesters criticize "submission" to Russian interests
However, the organizers of the demonstration criticized Fico's trip as "submission" to Russian interests. They called for what they described as "civic readiness". The country was in danger and therefore had to be protected by its citizens from their own government.
Demonstrators carried banners with messages such as "We want to live in a free country!" or directly addressed to Fico: "For me, you will always be a coward, collaborator, mafioso and criminal!" If the government does not change its course, the citizens' initiative plans to call for another wave of protests on January 24.
