U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a trip to Slovakia and Hungary, pledging closer cooperation with Central European nations that have strong ties to President Donald Trump.

In Slovakia, Rubio met Prime Minister Robert Fico and President Peter Pellegrini to discuss energy and defense, including Slovakia’s plans for a new nuclear plant and additional F-16 fighter jets.

Rubio emphasized partnership rather than dominance, calling for alignment on national interests while praising Trump’s support for the region and its conservative leaders.

Both Slovakia and Hungary continue to rely on Russian oil and gas and have faced criticism from the EU for weakening democratic institutions and delaying support to Ukraine, France 24 has reported.

Rubio’s visit highlights U.S. efforts to strengthen ties with friendly Central European governments despite tensions with Western Europe over trade, sanctions, and energy policy.