In Slovakia, Thousands Rally Against Fico Government and in Support of Ukraine
On the evening of March 12, a mass protest against the policies of the current Slovak government took place in the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava. Approximately 5,000 people participated in the demonstration, expressing not only their lack of confidence in the government but also their support for Ukraine, Reuters reports.
Protesters specifically voiced dissatisfaction with the government's policy aimed at restoring ties with Russia. They also called attention to the ongoing bloody war in Ukraine, emphasizing the civilian suffering and casualties. The protest commenced with the sounding of an air raid alarm.
"People in Ukraine hear this every day. I am here because the actions of this government coalition have crossed all boundaries," said protest organizer Michal Hvorecký addressing the participants.
Speakers at the rally, alongside flags of Slovakia, Ukraine, the European Union, and NATO, held up a banner reading "Russia - a terrorist state."
It's worth noting that since coming to power in October of last year, the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico has faced sharp criticism for its stance on military aid to Ukraine from the West and its desire to restore relations with Russia on both cultural and political levels.
Fico has stated that his country has no intention of sending troops to Ukraine but will respect the decisions of other countries on this issue. He has also indicated that he will do everything possible to prevent Ukraine's accession to NATO, as this issue is "very important" to him.
Earlier, The Gaze reported that the cabinet of Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced it would no longer hold joint negotiations with the Fico government. This decision was prompted by the anti-Ukrainian rhetoric of the Slovak government.
One of the reasons Prague cited was a meeting between Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. According to Fiala, in the current situation, it is necessary to make it clear that Slovakia, through statements by its representatives and certain actions, is deviating from the path chosen by the European Union regarding Russian aggression and its interpretation of the causes and ways of resolving it.
Prime Minister Robert Fico responded to the Fiala government's move. Among other things, he stated on social media that his government would never jeopardize the close Slovak-Czech relations.