Russian President Putin met Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Moscow on December 22, as a key Russian gas transit deal nears expiration. Fico's visit has sparked protests in Slovakia, with critics calling him a "traitor" and condemning his meeting with Putin.

'It smells like treason' In Slovakia's capital, Bratislava, people took to the streets to protest after the meeting, with banners in support of Ukraine as well as unflattering depictions of Mr Fico on display. One sign simply read: "It smells like treason."