Protesters say Fico dragging Slovakia to Russia in Ukraine gas dispute

On Friday, thousands of protesters in Slovak's capital chanted and held banners accusing Prime Minister Robert Fico that he was dragging his country to Russia after meeting President Vladimir Putin during a dispute over gas with Ukraine last month.

Slovakia and Ukraine have argued over Ukraine's decision to stop transiting Russian gas through their territory as of Jan. 1. The aim is to cut off Moscow from its revenue stream.

Fico and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met in Moscow on December 22 to discuss the transit of gas.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, in February 2022, this was the only third time an EU leader has visited Moscow.

One of the organizers said, "Slovakia, Europe is not Russia." The crowd was waving Slovak, EU, and Ukrainian flags and holding signs that read "Slovakia Stands with Ukraine". They were also chanting, "Enough Russia!" "Enough of Russia!" and "Shame!" ".

Organisers estimate that 15,000 protesters filled a central Bratislava square.

Fico said that the stoppage of gas transiting through Ukraine would cost Slovakia approximately 1.5 billion euro in lost fees and higher gas prices.

He threatened to retaliate, possibly by cutting off humanitarian aid to Kyiv or ending support for Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia.

Barbara Fandelova, a 45-year-old marketing specialist, said: "I'm concerned that our government directs us to Russia and... isn't on the side citizens."

Fico, who took power in Slovakia as an EU and NATO country in 2023, has changed the foreign policy by strengthening relations with Russia, and refusing military aid to Ukraine.

He said that on Friday, Putin had assured him that Russia's Gazprom will find other ways to supply gas to Slovakia.

Last year, around 13.5 billion cubic meters of gas passed through Ukraine. This included approximately 3 bcm that was used for Slovak consumers.

The EU said that there was no reason to extend the transit contract with Ukraine, and that the countries receiving Russian gas have access to alternative sources of supply.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the problem was with Russia, and "certain politicians", who refused to reduce their dependency on Moscow.

(source: Reuters)