United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded a series of meetings in Slovakia and Hungary on February 16, 2026, resulting in agreements focused on nuclear energy cooperation, according to statements released by the U.S. State Department.
The agreements outline steps toward the construction of recent nuclear power plants in Central Europe utilizing U.S. Nuclear energy technology. Officials stated the collaborations aim to bolster energy security in the region and strengthen strategic security interests. The U.S. State Department characterized the developments as representing “concrete steps” toward these goals.
A key component of the agreement with Slovakia centers on initiating the preparatory phase for a planned reactor project. The deal with Hungary establishes a framework for expanded nuclear cooperation between the two nations, according to the State Department.
The initiatives are intended to not only improve the region’s energy supply but also to enhance industrial capacity and support competitiveness in emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, the State Department noted. BloombergHT reported that the U.S. Aims to reinforce its strategic security interests in the region through these partnerships.
The agreements follow a two-day visit by Secretary Rubio to both countries, beginning February 15, 2026, as reported by borsamatik.com.tr. TGRT Haber also reported on the agreements, highlighting the focus on energy security and AI investment.
As of February 16, 2026, neither the Slovakian nor Hungarian governments have issued detailed statements beyond acknowledging the agreements reached with the United States. The U.S. State Department has not announced a timeline for the commencement of construction on any new nuclear facilities.