Protests continue in Slovakia against PM Fico's pro-Russia stance
Tens of thousands of people have filled streets across Slovakia, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Robert Fico, citing a policy shift for closer ties with Russia.
Protesters across the country on Friday chanted, 'Resign, resign,' 'Slovakia is Europe' and 'Russian agent' with a crowd of 42,000 to 45,000 people reported in Freedom Square in the capital, Bratislava.
'We stand for democracy and freedom and human rights as perceived by the EU and as enshrined in our constitution. We are here to keep it that way,' 39-year-old protester Barbora Kabinova was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
The weekly protests have come on the heels of a recent trip to Moscow by Fico, one of the few leaders of a European Union (EU) country to visit Russia since the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
The protests are the largest to rock Slovakia since the murder of an investigative reporter in 2018 brought tens of thousands of people into the streets, leading to the collapse of the government then, as now, helmed by Fico.
Fico, who survived an attempt on his life in May, has accused the protesters of collaborating with foreigners and Ukraine in an effort to overthrow the government, a claim for which he has provided little evidence.
A 70-year-old protester named Juraj Kadlec pushed back against those accusations, saying the demonstrations were 'not a coup at all'.
'I hope that our representatives will figure it out and either change their actions or decide to resign,' he said.
The left-wing nationalist leader has called for an end to Slovakia's support for Ukraine, criticised EU sanctions targeting Russia and said he would not allow Ukraine to join NATO, the defence alliance which many European states are members of but whose expansion has long been viewed with anger by Russia.
Fico has also been accused of cracking down on civil society groups and support for LGBTQ rights.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
4 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Russia condemns NATO naval exercise
dpa Moscow Russia on Wednesday criticized a two-week NATO naval exercise in the Baltic Sea as 'provocative,' one day before it was to begin. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko accused the Western alliance of preparing a confrontation with Russia with its annual BALTOPS exercise. 'It's about achieving superiority in all areas: on land, on the sea and in the air,' he said. 'Of course exercises of this kind are extremely provocative,' Grushko told the Russian state news agency TASS. 'We assess NATO's military activities as part of preparations for military conflict with Russia,' Grushko said. The 54th edition of the BALTOPs exercises is being held in the eastern German port of Rostock, for the first time. Around 50 vessels, more than 25 aircraft and around 9,000 troops from 17 countries are participating in the US-led exercise that will run from Thursday to June 20. Russia is the sole country among the nine with a Baltic Sea coastline that is not a NATO member. Moscow is itself currently conducting an exercise in the region with more than 20 naval ships, gunboats and support vessels. 'The exercises are being conducted to test the actions of the fleet forces in defending the bases,' the Russian navy said. According to state television, the exercise, which began on May 27, is continuing into this week. It involves corvettes, frigates, small missile ships, small submarines and minesweepers, around 25 aircraft, including helicopters, around 3,000 troops and up to 70 specialist units.
Qatar Tribune
4 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Ukraine allies pledge continued support
dpa Brussels Defence ministers from the Ukraine Defence Contact Group pledged further support for Ukraine on Wednesday despite the absence of US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth from the meeting. The talks, once led by the United States, are chaired by German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and UK Defence Secretary John Healey and aim to coordinate and raise further military support for Kiev. The format, also dubbed the Ramstein Group, comprises around 50 countries and was initiated by former US secretary of defense Lloyd Austin to help Ukraine defend itself from a full-scale Russian attack. Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced a new support package for maritime security worth €400 million ($457 million). The package will include over 100 vessels, like patrol boats, transport boats, interceptors, special operations craft, over 50 sea drones, weapon systems, reserve parts and training, Brekelmans said. Ukraine's European allies are under increased pressure to step up aid after Washington suspended US military aid to Kiev and put its commitment to safeguarding Europe into question. Hegseth did not attend the meeting, after Washington had previously made clear that it no longer wants to lead the pledging meetings. Pistorius said that so far there was no indication that Washington's decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine was final.
Qatar Tribune
4 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
No chance for immediate resolution to ongoing Ukraine war, says Trump
dpa Washington/Moscow/Kiev US President Donald Trump sees no chance for an immediate resolution to the Ukraine war following another phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. 'It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace,' Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. He said the call, which lasted approximately, one hour and 15 minutes, dealt with 'the attack on Russia's docked airplanes, by Ukraine, and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides.' Trump said Putin told him that Russia would have to respond to those attacks 'on the airfields.'The two leaders also discussed Iran's nuclear programme. 'President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion.' Meanwhile, Putin accused Ukraine of terrorism in relation to two fatal train accidents in Russia over the weekend. 'The blow wasdeliberately aimed at the civilian population,' Putin said during a government session in Moscow, according to the state-run TASS news agency. He accused Ukraine of seeking to block talks on an end to the war. Last weekend, two trains suffered accidents in the Kursk and Bryansk regions bordering Ukraine after bridges were blown up. Seven people died and dozens were injured in the passenger train derailed near the city of Bryansk. Putin once again rejected calls for a ceasefire in the war with Ukraine, whether for 30 or for 60 days. 'Why should they be emboldened by allowing them a break from fighting?' he queried. He also backed Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who has said Russia should continue to hold talks with a view to achieving its war aims. In Kiev, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky offered an immediate ceasefire that should last at least until a meeting with Putin. If no de-escalation emerged from a meeting of this kind, 'the ceasefire will end on the same day,' he told journalists. Zelensky rejected the memorandum put forward by the Russian side in talks in Istanbul on Monday in which it listed demands for an end to the war. He termed it an ultimatum. Russia's demands could not be met, in particular its territorial demands, he said.
