US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that the United States will engage with Hungary and Slovakia to persuade them to cease their purchases of Russian energy. These discussions are aimed at reducing the reliance of these countries on Russian gas, especially in light of the ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding Russia's actions in Ukraine. Rubio indicated that such dialogues are essential for addressing energy security concerns in the region and to minimize the financial resources flowing into Russia that could be utilized to fund its military aggression.

Furthermore, Rubio mentioned that a delegation from the US is scheduled to visit both Hungary and Slovakia as part of these discussions. His comments were made during a media briefing where he emphasized the importance of collaboration among European nations to diversify their energy sources and reduce dependency on Russian fossil fuels. The US views this initiative as a strategic move to bolster European energy independence and stability in the wake of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

In addition, Rubio highlighted his plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the upcoming Munich Security Conference, emphasizing the strong support the US continues to provide to Ukraine. These discussions underline the broader commitment of the US government to support its allies in Europe and to address energy security amid the current geopolitical climate.