U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded his visit to the Munich Security Conference and embarked on a tour of Central Europe. After a visit to Bratislava, the politician arrived in Budapest for a meeting with Viktor Orbán. The main goal of the diplomatic offensive is to present a new vision of the transatlantic alliance, based on a shared Western civilization and energy independence from Russia, while simultaneously emphasizing the need for European nations to increase their defense responsibilities.

New Vision for Transatlantic Relations

Marco Rubio announced the building of a "new Western century," expecting Europe to become more self-reliant and move away from the status of a vassal of the United States.

Visit to Trump's Allies

The Secretary of State visited Slovakia and Hungary, emphasizing the role of Central Europe as a key partner for Washington in the new security architecture.

Nuclear and Energy Cooperation

In Budapest, a pact on civil nuclear energy is planned to be signed, which is intended to help Hungary move away from importing raw materials from the Russian Federation.

Tensions on the U.S.-EU Line

Kaja Kallas rejected U.S. claims about a civilizational crisis in Europe, opposing attempts to bypass the EU in talks about peace in Ukraine.

During the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a speech that dominated debates about the future of U.S.-Europe relations. The politician called for building a "new Western century," emphasizing the civilizational unity of the West. Although Rubio's tone was milder than last year's speech by Vice President J.D. Vance, the message remained firm: Europe must stop relying solely on the U.S. and take greater responsibility for its own security. The Trump administration views current relations not as subordination but as a partnership in which Europe cannot be a "vassal" of Washington. Notably, Rubio rejected criticism regarding America's alleged withdrawal from the continent, pointing to the necessity of reforming NATO in line with new geopolitical realities. Relations between Poland and the U.S., as well as the Visegrad Group countries, have evolved since the region's accession to Western structures in 1999 and 2004, stabilizing the alliance's eastern flank after the end of the Cold War. A key part of Rubio's European tour were the capitals of Slovakia and Hungary. The choice of these locations is interpreted as a strong signal of support for leaders ideologically close to Donald Trump. In Bratislava, the Secretary of State met with Prime Minister Robert Fico, then traveled to Budapest for talks with Viktor Orbán. The main topic of negotiations in Hungary is concluding a nuclear cooperation agreement and diversifying gas supplies, aimed at reducing Russia's energy dominance in the region. 15 years — of security the U.S. guarantees Ukraine in the new proposal However, this visit is causing controversy in Brussels. The head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, criticized the American rhetoric about Europe's "civilizational decline," calling it "fashionable Euro-bashing." Kallas emphasized that peace in Ukraine cannot be achieved without the active participation and consent of the European Union. Meanwhile, media note that Rubio's trip serves to strengthen Orbán's position ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12. The American administration clearly favors sovereignism and direct bilateral relations with selected allies, which may pose a challenge to the unity of the entire Community.

Mentioned People

  • Marco Rubio — U.S. Secretary of State, on a diplomatic tour of Europe.
  • Viktor Orbán — Prime Minister of Hungary, host of the meeting with Marco Rubio in Budapest.
  • Kaja Kallas — Head of European Union diplomacy, criticizing U.S. rhetoric.
  • Robert Fico — Prime Minister of Slovakia, who met with Rubio in Bratislava.