US EditionRubio to visit eastern Europe, bolster ties with pro-Trump leaders
Rubio's two-day visit aims to boost energy cooperation and NATO commitments with Slovakia and Hungary, both maintaining Russian energy ties despite U.S. criticism, officials said.
- On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio begins a two-day trip to Slovakia and Hungary to bolster ties after participating in the Munich Security Conference, `These are countries that are very strong with us, very cooperative with the United States, work very closely with us, and it's a good opportunity to go see them and two countries I've never been in,' Rubio told reporters.
- Rubio is seeking to solidify bonds with pro‑Trump leaders in eastern Europe, planning meetings with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Viktor Orban, whom many on the American hard‑right admire, Rubio said.
- The U.S. State Department said Rubio will discuss energy cooperation, NATO commitments and bilateral issues, noting Slovakia signed a U.S. nuclear deal last month with Westinghouse likely building the plant.
- On Monday, Rubio is due to meet Viktor Orban, who is trailing in polls before April's vote, while Hungary and Slovakia diverge from U.S. calls on NATO spending with Hungary planning 2% defence spending this year and President Donald Trump urging 5%.
- Both governments have clashed with European Union institutions over democratic backsliding probes, while Slovakia and Hungary continue buying Russian gas and oil, and Budapest regularly hosts Conservative Political Action Conference events.
138 Articles
138 Articles
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits Hungary after the Munich Security Conference. The focus is on the energy partnership and the role of Hungary in the EU. "The tone in Rubio's speech was already binding," says Global Reporter Marc Felix Serrao.
The US Secretary of State's visit to Hungary and Slovakia can be seen as a slap in the face to several of the EU's heads of state and government, says DR's correspondent.
The US and Slovakia want to work more closely together on nuclear energy.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said America is not asking European allies to be vassals, but they need to be less dependent on Washington. Rubio made the comments at a joint news conference in Bratislava after holding talks with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Slovakia is the first stop on Rubio’s two-state tour of Central Europe, which he began on Sunday after attending the Munich Security Conference in recent days. He traveled to Hungary…
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