In a move that highlights shifting alliances across the Atlantic, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Slovakia and Hungary on a pivotal two-day tour beginning this Sunday. These Eastern European powerhouses, led by governments skeptical of EU dominance, represent key supporters for President Donald Trump’s international vision.
State Department details, released last week, outline Rubio’s agenda: post-Munich Security Conference, he’ll head to Bratislava for high-level talks on regional security, followed by Budapest to advance bilateral goals. Energy partnerships and NATO reinforcement top the list, alongside commitments to peaceful resolutions in ongoing global disputes.
Rubio touched on the trip briefly with journalists en route to Munich. He praised the hosts as ‘very strong with us’ and highly cooperative, emphasizing the value of personal diplomacy in places he hasn’t visited before. His dual role as Trump’s National Security Advisor adds weight to these engagements.
Expect a key sit-down in Slovakia with Prime Minister Robert Fico, fresh off a meeting with Trump in Florida last month. Hungary’s leadership, equally aligned, will discuss fortifying U.S.-Hungary energy ties amid broader geopolitical strains.
This tour isn’t just routine diplomacy—it’s a deliberate effort to nurture pro-Trump sentiments in Europe. By focusing on mutual security and energy autonomy, the U.S. aims to counterbalance EU pressures, fostering a network of reliable partners ready to back American priorities on the world stage.