Closing summary
What started looking like a slow news day ended up being pretty lively! That’s the joy of Europe Live.
But now it’s a wrap from me, Jakub Krupa.
Here are the three things to take away from today’s blog:
Russian president Vladimir Putin suggested that the invasion of Ukraine might have never happened had Donald Trump been US president at the time. His comments echoed similar claims from Trump and could further fuel Kyiv’s concerns about the pair potentially attempting to hastily strike a peace deal without involving Ukrainian and European leaders in the talks (16:59).
Around 625,000 homes, farms, and businesses in Ireland remain without electricity this evening, RTÉ reports, as a result of Storm Éowyn, with widespread disruptions to travel. Follow our weather live blog for the latest.
Slovakia’s political crisis was deepening on Friday night as tens of thousands took to the streets in Bratislava to protest against Robert Fico’s government amid growing concerns about the country’s pro-Russia foreign policy (18:32).
And I leave you with a reminder that Belarus will hold presidential elections this Sunday as “Europe’s last dictator,” longtime president and Putin ally Alexander Lukashenko, is set to extend his 31-year reign.
The EU called it “a sham” (12:43), and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the head of the exiled Belarusian opposition, said “what in the democratic world you call elections has nothing in common with this event in Belarus” (11:33).
That’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, for today. Have a great weekend, and see you on Monday!
If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at [email protected].
I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa.
Updated
Mass pro-European, anti-government protests in Slovakia
Earlier this week, I reported on Slovakia’s deepening political crisis, with a confidence vote in Robert Fico’s government pulled at the last minute after the government claimed, with little evidence, that it was part of a concerted effort to destabilise the country.
During the week, Fico had an intelligence report drawn up to corroborate his claims that the opposition was plotting a “Maidan”, referring to 2014 mass protests in Kyiv that overthrew the pro-Kremlin leader, a report by the AFP agency explain.
He further accused the opposition of being ready to “occupy the government in cooperation with foreign countries, in defiance of the results of the elections”.
But in response, tens of thousands of Slovaks are again protesting across the country tonight amid growing anger over Fico’s style of politics and what they see as a push for closer ties with Russia, and away from the EU.
In December, Fico travelled to Moscow to meet Russia president Vladimir Putin, where he criticised Ukraine’s decision to turn off the taps that kept Russian gas flowing via its territory to Europe.
Opposition leader Michal Šimečka said that instead of addressing issues at home, “Fico is flying around the world, bowing to dictators and enjoying luxury,” referring to the premier’s recent trips to Russia and Vietnam.
