Protesters say Fico dragging Slovakia to Russia in Ukraine gas dispute

Demonstrators attend an anti-government protest in support of Ukraine, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Bratislava, Slovakia, January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa

BRATISLAVA (Reuters) - Thousands of protesters in the Slovak capital held banners and chanted slogans on Friday accusing Prime Minister Robert Fico of dragging the country towards Russia after he met President Vladimir Putin last month amid a gas dispute with Ukraine.

Slovakia has argued with Ukraine over its decision to halt the transit of Russia's gas through its territory from Jan. 1, seeking to cut Moscow off from the revenue stream.