In Bratislava on Tuesday, thousands of people gathered to show their support for Ukraine and express their discontent with the Slovak government’s perceived alignment with Russia. Since assuming power in October, Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government has drawn criticism for its opposition to Europe’s military aid to Ukraine and its efforts to strengthen ties with Russia.
Critics are particularly concerned about recent high-level meetings between Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar and Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, as they believe these interactions signal a shift towards Russia and away from the European Union’s stance on isolating the country.
As protests began with the sound of air raid sirens, organiser Michal Hvorecky addressed the crowd, emphasizing the concerns of Ukrainians and denouncing the government’s actions as crossing all boundaries.
A sign calling Russia a “terrorist state” was displayed alongside flags representing Slovakia, Ukraine, the European Union, and NATO, underscoring the demonstrators’ message.
Approximately 5,000 people attended the protest, according to news website Dennik N.
While Fico has faced previous protests over domestic policies, this was the first one targeting his government’s foreign policy decisions.
Participants like Roman, a 45-year-old IT professional, expressed disappointment with the direction the government is taking and stressed their desire to remain aligned with Western values.
Defending his administration’s foreign policy as “balanced and sovereign,” Fico has emphasized the lack of a military solution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has persisted since Russia’s invasion more than two years ago.
The prime minister has resisted providing military assistance to Ukraine, citing concerns about prolonging the conflict. However, Ukraine’s Western allies argue that withholding aid would only lead to the country’s defeat rather than facilitating negotiations.
Blanar, the foreign minister, defended his meeting with Lavrov on March 2 as a diplomatic necessity, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
Although Fico has spoken out against imposing sanctions on Russia, he has refrained from actively obstructing EU measures or financial aid to Ukraine. This shift in foreign policy, including efforts to re-establish cultural ties with Russia, has strained Slovakia’s relations with some allies.
Last week, the Czech government announced the suspension of joint meetings with Slovakia’s cabinet, a move that symbolizes the growing discontent with Slovakia’s evolving foreign policies.
As the debate continues, Slovakia finds itself at a crossroads between maintaining its historical ties with Russia and aligning with Western values and alliances. The country’s foreign policy decisions will likely shape its relationships with EU partners and Ukraine in the coming months.
