Rubio Heads To Munich Conference, Bratislava, And Budapest As Allies Look For Reassurance

"WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The top US diplomat, Marco Rubio, will travel to Germany later this week to lead a high-level delegation to the annual Munich Security Conference before heading on to Slovakia and Hungary, the State Department has announced. The trip comes at a pivotal moment, as Washington and its European allies grapple with deepening mistrust over security, trade, and the fundamental future of the transatlantic alliance -- tensions that are expected to loom large over discussions in Munich."

"Russia's war against Ukraine, which will soon enter its fifth year since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, is expected to be a major topic of discussion at the conference, as is the tension surrounding Iran. Rubio's attendance at the February 13-15 conference will be followed by a diplomatic swing through Bratislava and Budapest on February 15-16, underscoring the administration's focus on Central Europe at a time of strategic uncertainty."

"The centerpiece of Rubio's trip may be his scheduled Munich address on February 14, which is expected to come under intense scrutiny -- particularly in the shadow of last year's conference, where Vice President JD Vance's speech made waves. At the time, Vance's remarks -- which accused European leaders of suppressing free speech and failing to manage migration -- left a lingering sense of apprehension in Brussels and beyond."

Marco Rubio will travel to Germany to lead a high-level US delegation to the Munich Security Conference, then visit Slovakia and Hungary. The trip occurs amid deepening mistrust between Washington and European allies over security, trade, and the transatlantic alliance. Russia's war in Ukraine and tensions over Iran are expected to dominate conference debates. Rubio will meet Slovak officials to advance regional security cooperation and nuclear energy projects, and focus in Hungary on bilateral ties and peace efforts. Rubio's February 14 Munich address will draw scrutiny after Vice President JD Vance's controversial remarks last year. The Munich report warns Europe faces a "prolonged era of confrontation" driven by Russian aggression.

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