Thousands protest in Slovakia against government's Ukraine policy

Thousands of people protested in cities across Slovakia on Friday evening against the Ukraine policy of Slovakian left-wing populist Prime Minister Robert Fico.

The demonstrators accused Fico of following a pro-Russian course and of "betraying" Western allies and neighbouring Ukraine.

The rallies were initiated by the citizens' initiative "Mier Ukrajine" (Peace for Ukraine), which advocates for arms deliveries to Kiev.

Organizers estimated that 15,000 people gathered in front of the government building on Freedom Square in the capital city Bratislava alone.

Demonstrators carried banners with slogans such as "We want to live in a free country!" or, directed at Fico: "You will always be a coward, collaborator, mafioso and criminal in my eyes!"

The protests were triggered by Fico's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow shortly before Christmas.

Fico defended the trip to the European Affairs Committee of parliament on Friday morning. He said that faced with Ukraine's decision to stop the transit of Russian gas at the beginning of this year, he had explored alternative options with Putin in order to present them to the European Commission in Brussels.

Slovakia is more dependent on Russian gas than almost any other country in Europe.

However, the organizers of the demonstrations criticized Fico's trip as a "submission" to Russian interests and called on Slovakian citizens to protect the country from its own government.

If the government does not change course, the initiative plans to call for another wave of protests on January 24.