Thousands rally across Slovakia to protest prime minister's pro-Russia policies

Thousands of Slovaks have taken to the streets as protests against the pro-Russia policies of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico spread from Slovakia's capital to towns and cities across the country and abroad. The latest wave of anti-government rallies on Friday was fueled by Fico’s unexpected trip to Moscow before Christmas to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The protesters say Fico’s meeting with Putin is “unacceptable” at a time when Russia is waging war against Ukraine. Fico says that his trip was a reaction to Ukraine’s move to halt Russian gas supplies to European customers through its pipeline network. Fico has condemned Ukraine's move and has threatened to retaliate.