On Friday, about 15,000 people protested in the centre of Bratislava, expressing outrage at Slovakia’s rapprochement with Russia amid the gas conflict with Ukraine. The demonstrators, armed with EU and Slovak flags, demanded an end to cooperation with the Kremlin, chanting “Slovakia supports Ukraine!” and “Enough with Russia!”, Reuters reports.
Reasons for dissatisfaction
Protests erupted after Prime Minister Robert Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on 22 December. The meeting was the third visit to Russia by an EU leader since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The situation was exacerbated after Ukraine stopped the transit of Russian gas through its territory on 1 January. Slovakia, which had previously received significant volumes of gas via this route, lost not only supplies but also about €1.5 billion in transit fee revenues.
Robert Fico, known for his pro-Russian stances, said he was considering retaliatory measures, including cutting humanitarian aid to Ukraine, reducing support for Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia, and cutting off electricity supplies.
Since coming to power in 2023, Fico has significantly changed the country’s foreign policy. Slovakia, a member of the EU and NATO, refuses to provide military assistance to Ukraine and is strengthening ties with Russia.
The European Union has stressed that the extension of the gas contract through Ukraine is not necessary, as EU countries have access to alternative energy sources. In response, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry accused Russia and “some politicians” of being unwilling to reduce dependence on Moscow.
What’s next?
Robert Fico said that during the meeting, Vladimir Putin promised to find alternative routes for gas supplies to Slovakia through Gazprom. However, the protesters emphasise that such agreements jeopardise Slovakia’s European future.
“Slovakia is Europe, we are not Russia. Our government needs to realise this before we lose the trust of our allies,” said Barbara Fandelova, one of the protesters.
These protests were a signal that more and more Slovaks are not ready to accept a change in their country’s political course.
