Secretary Rubio Holds Joint Press Availability with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico

Bilateral Relations and Sovereign Policy

• 💡 Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico welcomed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Bratislava, highlighting mutual respect and a follow-up to their meeting with President Trump in Florida.
• 🎯 Fico emphasized Slovakia's commitment to a sovereign foreign policy, prioritizing its national interests and seeking cooperation where interests align.
• ✅ Secretary Rubio affirmed the US expectation for all countries to act in their national interest, viewing alignment as an opportunity for cooperation and partnership.

Energy Cooperation and Challenges

• ⚡ Slovakia and the US are cooperating on nuclear energy, with an intergovernmental agreement in effect since February 2026.
• 🚀 Slovakia aims to build a new 1,200 MW nuclear block by 2040 with a multinational consortium under US auspices, hoping to sign agreements with Westinghouse within a year.
• ⚠️ Fico highlighted Slovakia's difficult energy situation due to REPowerEU stopping gas flow from the East, seeking alternatives and discussing solutions with Hungary.

Views on the War in Ukraine

• 💬 Slovakia holds a unique position on the war in Ukraine, with PM Fico stating there is no short-term peace solution and offering Slovakia's help in peace initiatives.
• 👏 Fico praised President Trump's pragmatic and rational approach to ending the "senseless, pointless" war, believing it has no military solution.
• 🚨 Fico criticized the EU's strategy, arguing that an Istanbul agreement could have ended the war earlier and that current sanctions and military aid are not working, leading to more deaths and a stronger Russian position.
• 📌 Secretary Rubio acknowledged Slovakia's viewpoint, informed by its geography and history, as important for the broader context of facilitating an end to the conflict.

NATO and Regional Security

• 🛡️ Slovakia, as a NATO member, understands the US stance on Europe increasing its defense expenditures and is committed to strengthening its capacities.
• ✈️ Slovakia is interested in increasing its F-16 fighter jet fleet from the US to 18, aiming to secure its own airspace.
• 🤝 The US views a stronger NATO as a result of stronger individual member states, emphasizing collective strength rather than dependence.
• 🌍 Slovakia will chair the Visegrad Group (V4) from July 2026 and is open to inviting the US for cooperation on relevant international topics.

International Relations and Diplomacy

• 🔍 Fico emphasized the importance of dialogue with Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, to end the conflict in Ukraine, despite differing opinions from some EU partners.
• ⚖️ Slovakia adheres to principles of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs and respect for international law, citing its non-recognition of Kosovo and its stance on Venezuela.
• 🇺🇸 Secretary Rubio discussed US engagement in Syria, working with the foreign minister and Kurdish leader to prevent instability and manage ISIS prisoners, seeing it as a positive trajectory despite challenges.