TL:DR – US Secretary of State Rubio urges Europe to reduce dependence on Washington
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Sunday that America is not seeking vassalage from European allies, emphasising self-reliance (Rubio).
• Slovakia is the first stop on Rubio’s two-state central European tour, which began on Sunday (Rubio).
• Rubio will meet Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to discuss bilateral relations and support for Trump’s policies (Rubio).
• Slovak PM Robert Fico critiqued the EU’s financial support for Ukraine during their talks about military cooperation (Fico).
• Fico expressed concerns over EU policies regarding energy imports from Russia (Fico).
‘Washington does not need vassals, but strong partners,’ Rubio tells Europe
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Monday that the United States is not seeking to make European allies dependent on Washington, during a joint press conference in Bratislava with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico. These comments come as part of Rubio’s two-state tour of central Europe, which began on Sunday after attending the Munich Security Conference.
Rubio’s remarks underscore ongoing discussions about European security and defence independence. The Secretary emphasised the importance of European nations strengthening themselves, stating, “the stronger you are, the stronger the members of NATO are, the stronger NATO is.”
Rubio Addresses Concerns Over US Troop Movements
In response to questions, Rubio downplayed concerns regarding the recent US troop reductions in Europe, clarifying, “We’re not leaving NATO, we may move a couple of thousand troops from one country to another, but this has always been the case.” He reinforced the notion that the US does not want Europe to become a “vassal” of the United States, but rather a partner.
During his address at the Munich Security Conference, Rubio highlighted a shared future for the US and Europe. He raised concerns about Europe’s cultural decline and the need to halt mass migration.
Fico Questions EU Support for Ukraine
Prime Minister Robert Fico voiced his criticism of the European Union’s ongoing support for Ukraine, expressing concerns about the financial and military assistance provided. He noted that Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic abstained from approving a €90 billion aid package for Ukraine at a December EU summit, stating, “continuing to financially support Kyiv will only prolong the war and increase the death toll on both sides.”
Fico further critiqued the EU’s decision to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027, describing potential disastrous consequences for Slovakia, which lacks LNG terminals.
Rubio to Meet Orbán in Hungary
Following his visit to Slovakia, Rubio is set to meet Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, with discussions focusing on efforts to resolve global conflicts and the US-Hungary energy partnership. Orbán, who has shown strong support for Trump, was instrumental in declaring Hungary’s membership in Trump’s Board of Peace initiative.
Recent agreements include Hungary securing a one-year exemption from secondary tariffs on Russian oil imports and finalising a deal to import liquefied natural gas from the US. Rubio’s engagement with Orbán takes place as the latter prepares for challenging elections in April.
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