Bratislava, Slovakia — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a joint press availability today alongside Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava, marking a high-profile diplomatic engagement amid a broader U.S. effort to deepen ties with Eastern European partners.
The public briefing followed a series of bilateral talks focused on strengthening strategic cooperation between the United States and Slovakia, a NATO ally whose leadership has often charted independent policies within the European Union. Rubio’s visit — part of a two-day Central European tour that also includes a scheduled meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban — underscores Washington’s interest in reinforcing relationships with conservative leaders across the region.
At the joint press availability, held in the Slovak capital this afternoon, both leaders addressed a range of topics including defense cooperation, NATO commitments, energy security, and regional stability. The meeting comes against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and ongoing debates within Europe about energy diversification and collective security.
Rubio, who also serves as President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, emphasized the importance of bolstering coordination on shared security challenges. While official statements from the press availability were limited at the time of reporting, the discussions are expected to reaffirm U.S. support for NATO and cooperation on initiatives such as modernizing Slovakia’s military capabilities and exploring expanded bilateral energy partnerships.
Prime Minister Fico, a political figure known for his independent foreign policy stances and occasional friction with broader EU positions, welcomed the talks as an opportunity to strengthen ties with the United States. Fico has previously expressed views divergent from some EU policies, particularly regarding sanctions and energy relations with Russia, making today’s engagement especially noteworthy within the context of transatlantic diplomacy.
This meeting in Bratislava represents the first such joint press availability between a U.S. secretary of state and a Slovak prime minister in several years, spotlighting the evolving dynamics of U.S.–European relations amid shifting geopolitical pressures. Rubio’s visit additionally follows his participation at the Munich Security Conference earlier in the week, where he reiterated calls for stronger Western cooperation on defense and security.
Rubio is set to continue his regional tour on Monday with a trip to Hungary to meet with Prime Minister Orban, further advancing discussions on security, energy, and bilateral cooperation.
