U.S. Senator Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Hungary and Slovakia as he prepares to address the Munich Security Conference. This visit comes in light of increasing tension between the United States and the European Union, fueled by former President Donald Trump's controversial statements regarding Greenland and his support for right-wing allies like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Rubio's trip aims to strengthen bilateral relations and discusses shared interests, particularly in energy partnerships and addressing global conflicts.

In Budapest, Rubio is expected to have meetings with senior Hungarian officials to reinforce joint commitments to ongoing peace processes and stabilize regional collaborations. This is significant as Hungary, under Orban’s leadership, has often found itself at odds with other EU members on various policy initiatives, especially regarding support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. Orban's government is one of the few in the EU that maintains a cordial relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, further complicating Hungary's European relationships.

The ongoing discussions around energy partnerships are particularly crucial given the broader geopolitical implications as the U.S. seeks to solidify its alliances in the face of external pressures from Russia and internal disagreements within the EU. The outcome of Rubio's visit may shape the future of U.S.-Hungarian relations and their collaborative efforts against shared challenges such as energy security and combating authoritarianism in the region.