Overview

• Thousands protested in Bratislava and other cities, accusing Prime Minister Robert Fico of aligning Slovakia with Russia against EU and NATO values.
• Fico's December meeting with Vladimir Putin, one of the few by an EU leader since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, drew widespread condemnation.
• Protesters object to Fico's threats to cut humanitarian aid, refugee support, and electricity supplies to Ukraine following a gas transit dispute.
• Fico defended his Moscow visit by citing Slovakia's economic losses from Ukraine's decision to end Russian gas transit through its territory.
• Organizers of the protests, including the Peace for Ukraine initiative, vowed to continue demonstrations, emphasizing Slovakia's place in Europe, not Russia.