Bratislava: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Hungary and Slovakia, two EU nations that maintain close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump, following his participation in a security conference in Germany. The visit aims to address energy cooperation and bilateral issues, with a focus on commitments within the NATO organization.
According to Thai News Agency, the U.S. State Department announced that Secretary Rubio would meet with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava today, followed by a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb¡n in Budapest on Monday. The discussions will likely revolve around NATO obligations, as the United States, Hungary, and Slovakia are all members of the alliance.
Slovakia and Hungary have faced criticism from EU bodies over democratic governance concerns but continue their relationship with Russia by purchasing oil and gas, diverging from the approach of other EU member states since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Despite the tensions, Slovak Prime Minister Fico has expressed admiration for President Trump, describing him as a peacemaker for Europe, though he has also criticized U.S. policies concerning Venezuelan leader Nicol¡s Maduro. Hungarian Prime Minister Orb¡n, a staunch ally of Trump, focuses on stringent immigration policies.