In Slovakia, thousands of people flocked to the streets of the capital city of Bratislava on Tuesday, March 12, to display their solidarity with Ukraine and their disapproval of their government, which they believe has become too close to Russia.
Critics have been alarmed by Prime Minister Robert Fico's administration since it took office last October. The government has been vocal in its rejection of Europe's military assistance for Ukraine, as well as its efforts to reestablish cultural and political connections with Russia.
This month, for instance, Slovakia's foreign minister Juraj Blanar met with Sergei Lavrov of Russia, marking an unusual high-level meeting between two countries that the European Union has actively worked to isolate.
People's Disapproval
From a podium draped with Slovak, Ukrainian, EU, and NATO flags along with a banner labeling Russia a "terrorist state," protest organizer Michal Hvorecky stated: "I am here because the actions of this government coalition cross all borders," as reported by Reuters.
Approximately 5,000 individuals showed up at the demonstration, according to the organizers.
Martina Simkovicova, Slovakia's minister of culture, took steps to restore cultural relations with Russia in January. This was the first time that Fico's foreign policy was the target of opposition-led rallies.
Fico had previously been the target of protests against his policies, most notably a rewrite of criminal laws that opponents claimed undermined the battle against corruption.
Ties With Russia
As the crisis in Ukraine drags on, nearly two years after Russia's invasion, Fico has maintained that his government's foreign policy is "balanced and sovereign" and said that the use of force will not resolve the issue.
He believes that providing arms to Ukraine, with the exception of commercial supply, would only serve to prolong the battle, hence he has rejected this idea. The Western supporters of Ukraine then dismissed such reasoning, claiming that cutting off funding would result in defeat for Ukraine instead of discussions.
Meanwhile, the meeting with Lavrov on March 2, which Blanar said was requested by Russia, was justified by the foreign minister as a diplomatic effort to resolve the issue.
Although Fico has spoken out against Russian sanctions, he has refrained from actively opposing EU measures or financial assistance for Ukraine.
