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.

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.

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.

"Enough of Fico," "We won't give up Slovakia" - these slogans accompanied the large demonstration that took place in Bratislava. Protesters demanded a change in Slovakia’s foreign policy and protested against Prime Minister Robert Fico's visit to Moscow.

Slovakia is weighing retaliation against Ukraine including withholding aid if a solution is not found to Kyiv's decision to shut off Russian gas, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Thursday after talks with EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen.

Protesters gathered in Bratislava and other Slovak cities on Friday to rally against the government's drive to seek closer ties with Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine.

Slovakia could take retaliatory measures against Ukraine after Kyiv halted the flow of Russian gas through its territory, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico warned Thursday.

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico said he wasn’t ruling out the resumption of gas through Ukraine after a deal between Kyiv and Moscow expired at the beginning of this year.

"Enough of Fico," "We won't give up Slovakia" – these slogans echoed through the large demonstration held in Bratislava. Protesters called for a shift in Slovakia’s foreign policy and expressed their discontent with Prime Minister Robert Fico's visit to Moscow.

Protests under the slogan Bratislava is Europe began across a number of Slovak cities on Friday evening, 10 January. Demonstrators are expressing their criticism of Prime Minister Robert Fico's pro-Russian policies.