U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defined a new Washington doctrine in Central Europe: an end to protectorates, time for transactional partnership. During visits to Bratislava and Budapest and a speech in Munich, American diplomacy offered energy security in exchange for armaments, aiming to definitively push Russian resources out of the region.
Marco Rubio's visit to Central Europe and his speech at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) mark a change in tactics for the Donald Trump administration, while maintaining strategic goals. Following last year's confrontational rhetoric from Vice President JD Vance, Rubio adopted the role of a pragmatist. In Munich, he assured that the fates of the USA and Europe are "intertwined," easing fears of a U.S. withdrawal from NATO. However, the change in tone does not mean a change in substance: Washington still demands military self-sufficiency from Europe and increased defense spending, treating the American security umbrella as a service requiring reciprocity, not an unconditional obligation.
The key element of the new strategy was revealed in Bratislava and Budapest. Meeting with leaders considered problematic in Brussels – Robert Fico and Viktor Orbán – Rubio declared that the USA "does not seek vassals, but partners." This rhetorical move has a double meaning. First, it legitimizes the conservative governments of Slovakia and Hungary, building an alternative diplomatic axis against the EU mainstream (V4+USA format). Second, it prepares the ground for economic expansion. "Partnership" in Rubio's version means concrete contracts: replacing Russian gas and oil with American LNG and nuclear technology.
The mechanism is simple: military security is linked to energy security based on American resources. Slovakia and Hungary, previously dependent on resources from Russia, receive political support from Washington in exchange for diversifying energy sources, which hits the Kremlin's revenues. Rubio leverages the weakness of the Russian economy and the pressure to cut off Putin from export markets. At the same time, Kaja Kallas, head of EU diplomacy, rejected the American narrative about "European decadence," pointing to the stability of the EU in contrast to Russia's collapse, revealing the ongoing tension between Brussels' federalist vision and Washington's bilateral approach.
Declaration of "No Vassalization"
Rubio stated in Bratislava that the USA does not want Europe as a vassal, strengthening the position of leaders like Fico and Orbán vis-à-vis Brussels.
Energy as a Geopolitical Tool
The USA offers nuclear technology and LNG to ultimately push Russian resources out of Central Europe.
Change of Rhetoric in Munich
Rubio softened his tone towards allies compared to JD Vance, but maintained demands for increased defense spending.
V4+USA Format
The reactivation of cooperation with the Visegrád Group aims to build a conservative alliance within European structures.