A protest erupted in front of the Slovak government building in Bratislava on Monday in response to Prime Minister Robert Fico’s visit to Moscow, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Signs at the protest included phrases like “This smells of betrayal,” while others expressed solidarity with Ukraine and criticized Fico’s actions.
Fico’s Controversial Trip to Moscow
Fico, the Slovak Prime Minister, visited Russia on Sunday, becoming only the third Western leader to meet with the Kremlin chief since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began nearly three years ago.
A vocal critic of the EU’s support for Ukraine, Fico stated that discussions with Putin focused on securing Russian gas supplies for Slovakia, highlighting Bratislava’s ongoing dependence on Moscow for energy.
