US Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded his European tour with visits to Bratislava and Budapest. The key outcomes of the trip are the signing of an intergovernmental agreement with Hungary on civil nuclear cooperation and a declaration to strengthen energy relations with Slovakia. Rubio emphasized that the White House aims to build a strong partnership with Europe, rejecting the concept of vassalization and promoting the region's independence from Russian energy resources.

Nuclear Agreement with Hungary

Signing of an agreement on long-term cooperation in civil nuclear energy and the construction of SMR reactors in Budapest.

Declaration of 'Partnership, Not Vassalization'

Marco Rubio assured in Bratislava that the USA wants a strong and independent Europe as an equal partner within NATO.

Cooperation with the Visegrad Group

Prime Minister Robert Fico's proposal to formalize the V4+USA format was met with a positive response from the State Department.

Independence from Russia

A key goal of the visit was pressuring Slovakia and Hungary to abandon Russian energy resources in favor of technology from the USA.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio conducted a series of meetings with leaders of Central European states, aiming to redefine transatlantic relations. In Budapest, a groundbreaking agreement was signed between the USA and Hungary, set to initiate decades of cooperation in nuclear energy. The agreement envisions Hungary becoming a regional hub for the development of small modular reactors (SMRs). Additionally, the American company Holtec International declared assistance in spent nuclear fuel storage, a step toward diversifying technology sources. Earlier, during his visit to Bratislava, Rubio met with Prime Minister Robert Fico. The main topics of discussion were energy security and moving away from Russian resources. The American diplomat assured that the United States does not expect Europe to be a "vassal," but rather a strong partner capable of sharing responsibility for security. Fico, in turn, proposed expanding cooperation in the V4+USA format, which Rubio received with interest. The visit also had a symbolic dimension, as the Secretary of State visited leaders associated with close ties to Donald Trump, interpreted as an attempt to build a new architecture of influence within NATO. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, states on NATO's eastern flank have been intensively seeking alternatives to Russian gas and nuclear technology supplies, opening the market for American investments in the nuclear sector. During press conferences, Rubio repeatedly dismissed speculation about the USA withdrawing from Europe, calling troop rotation a standard procedure. He emphasized that stronger allied states directly translate to America's strength. „We are not asking Europe to be a vassal of the United States. We want NATO to be so strong that no one dares to test it.” — Marco Rubio Experts indicate that these declarations aim to reassure allies concerned about the new administration's isolationism, while simultaneously pressuring for increased defense and technological spending on the European side. Energy Cooperation with the USA: : → ; : → Liberal media emphasize that Rubio legitimizes the illiberal governments of Orban and Fico, which could weaken European Union unity against Russia. | Conservative media highlight US respect for the sovereignty of Hungary and Slovakia and building real security based on nuclear energy instead of ideology.

Mentioned People

  • Marco Rubio — US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, leading a diplomatic offensive in Europe.
  • Robert Fico — Prime Minister of Slovakia, who proposed strengthening US cooperation with Visegrad Group countries.
  • Viktor Orbán — Prime Minister of Hungary, host of Rubio's visit to Budapest and signatory of nuclear cooperation.