On March 7, tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Slovakia for the third time this year to protest the pro-Russian policies of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government. They voiced concerns that Slovakia is drifting away from the European Union and its transatlantic allies. Their
Thousands of protestors gathered on March 7 in more than 40 cities across Slovakia targeting the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico, Slovak media Aktuality reported.
In a 15-minute-long speech, Fico also backed U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent criticism of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Slovakia, a landlocked country on Ukraine’s western border, is undergoing a dramatic political shift under Prime Minister Robert Fico. As Fico meets with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and cracks down on opposition voices at home, protests are erupting across the country. Tens of thousands of Slovaks have taken to the streets, fearing that their democracy is at risk.
Slovak gas company SPP began importing Russian gas again through the TurkStream pipeline on Feb. 1, with plans to double supplies by April, Slovak news agency TASR reported on Feb. 6.
Slovak officials had previously accused Ukraine's Georgian Legion of acting on orders from Kyiv's military intelligence to attempt a coup d'etat in Bratislava after anti-government protests swept the country.
Slovakia has banned Georgian Legion commander Mamuka Mamulashvili from entering the country after the government linked his unit to an alleged coup plot, Denník N reported on Jan. 31.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry told media that the Ukrainian, born in 1966, is accused of "threatening the national security" of Slovakia.
Ukraine expressed "deep disappointment" over Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's statements after he called President Volodymyr Zelensky "the enemy" of Slovakia.
According to the statement, the Slovak ministry delivered the Ukrainian ambassador "a strong protest" against statements by the Ukrainian side.
"Bratislava is not Moscow, Slovakia is Europe," President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X on Jan. 25, voicing support for protests against Slovakia's government.
The Foreign Ministry denied Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's claim that Ukraine is connected to a cyberattack on Slovakia's national insurance company, according to a statement on the Ministry’s website on Jan. 24.
Protests erupted in more than 20 Slovak cities on Jan. 24 under the slogan "Slovakia is Europe," targeting the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico, Slovak media Aktuality reported.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that there was an urgent need for a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, at a press conference on Jan. 20.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico accused opposition leader Michal Simecka of "kissing Zelensky's ring" during his recent visit to Kyiv and said the pro-Western MP wanted to stage a coup d'etat in Bratislava.
"Our goal is clear — to reopen the door that Robert Fico slammed with his aggressive outbursts," pro-Western opposition leader Michal Simecka said on social media.
"We are looking for another date, which should be in the next few days," Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said.
The Slovak government is playing very dangerous game by criticizing military support for Ukraine and getting closer to Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with the Polish media on Jan. 16.
Slovakia's pro-Western opposition parties announced plans to initiate a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Robert Fico's government, citing concerns over his governance and foreign policy direction, TASR news agency reported on Jan. 14.
The development is the latest in an escalating conflict between Ukraine and Slovakia over Kyiv's decision to stop Russian gas transit.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said he would like to hold a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Slovakia near the border with Ukraine "as soon as possible." "Okay. Come to Kyiv on Friday," Zelensky responded.
"We offered our assistance to the people of Slovakia during their adaptation to the absence of Russian gas transit, but Fico arrogantly refused," Zelensky said on Jan. 12.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called Ukraine an unreliable partner and accused President Volodymyr Zelensky of blackmailing European leaders for support at a parliamentary meeting on Jan. 10.
Fico said that Slovakia could halt its humanitarian aid to Ukraine, cut or cancel social benefits for Ukrainian refugees, and cease emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine. He also suggested using veto power over EU decisions as leverage against Kyiv.
Ukraine initiated the meeting to address Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's threats to halt electricity exports to Ukraine and cut support for Ukrainian refugees, Ukraine's envoy to the EU said.
Slovakia's state-controlled transmission system operator SEPS said it will continue supplying electricity to Ukraine as part of an emergency assistance contract.
Approximately 4,000 people assembled in Bratislava on Jan. 3 to protest Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's pro-Russian policies, according to local media.
The announcement follows Robert Fico's earlier threats to cut off electricity exports to Ukraine.
"Turning energy into a weapon and cynical energy blackmail of partners is what deprived Russia of its most attractive and geographically accessible market," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 1.
Herman Halushchenko said Ukraine could compensate for any disruption by importing electricity from Romania and Poland.
Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalinak said that Ukraine may need to cede some territory due to the realities on the ground, Slovak news agency TASR reported on Dec. 29.
Poland is ready to increase domestic electricity production if Slovakia halts the delivery of backup power supplies to Ukraine, an unnamed Polish official told Bloomberg on Dec. 29.
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