BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) 鈥 Protesters gathered Friday in the Slovak capital to demonstrate against populist Prime Minister Robert Fico鈥檚 latest trip to Russia.
Fico was the only leader of a European Union country to travel to Moscow for marking the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
Chanting slogans like 鈥淲e鈥檝e had enough of Fico,鈥 鈥淪lovakia is Europe,鈥 and 鈥淪tay there,鈥 protesters filled Freedom Square.
Organizers said that Fico 鈥渄oesn鈥檛 represent the whole Slovakia.鈥
鈥淚t鈥檚 a shame for Slovakia,鈥 and 鈥渙ne of the worst moments for the Slovak foreign policy,鈥 Michal 艩ime膷ka, the leader of the major opposition and pro-Western Progressive Slovakia party, said about the trip.
The Kremlin has used the annual 鈥淰ictory Day鈥 celebrations to tout its battlefield prowess. On Friday, President praised Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, saying that 鈥渨e are proud of their courage and determination, their spiritual force that always has brought us victory.鈥
Fico said in a video message his goal was to establish 鈥渘ormal, friendly cooperation,鈥 with Russia.
The rallies in Bratislava and some other towns and cities across Slovakia were the latest in fueled by for talks with Putin over gas deliveries in December.
Fico, who is a divisive figure at home and abroad, returned to power in 2003 after his leftist Smer (Direction) party won a on a .
Known for his pro-Russian views, he has openly challenged the European Union鈥檚 policies over Ukraine.
