Tens of thousands of people gathered in dozens cities and towns across Slovakia as vocal protests against pro-Russian policies of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico intensified.

The weekly protests have come on the heels of a recent trip to Moscow by Fico, one of the few leaders of a European Union (EU) country to visit Russia since the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago.

BRATISLAVA - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico rejected protesters' calls for his resignation on Jan 25 after tens of thousands demonstrated against his government's policy shift closer to Russia.

Tens of thousands of people in Slovakia gathered at squares and street across the country on Friday to voice their opposition to the pro-Russia policies of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Tens of thousands of people have once again taken to the streets in numerous cities across Slovakia under the slogan "Slovakia is Europe!" They accuse left-nationalist Prime Minister Robert Fico of taking a pro-Russian stance and lacking solidarity with Ukraine.

Robert Fico has said that Slovakia’s foreign policy orientation could involve leaving the European Union and Nato.