US to Urge Hungary and Slovakia in Talks: End Reliance on Russian Energy.

US Delegation to Press Hungary and Slovakia

According to TSN.ua: A United States delegation is set to visit Hungary and Slovakia, where it will urge both nations to cease purchasing Russian energy supplies. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that negotiations on this topic are planned. The talks will specifically focus on addressing these European countries' continued energy dependence on Russia.

Russia's Declining Energy Revenues

Simultaneously, the Russian Federation is experiencing a collapse in its oil and gas revenues, which have fallen to record lows. Sanctions pressure from the US and the European Union is forcing the Kremlin to increase taxes on these resources. While oil and gas exports have historically been a primary source of revenue for the Russian state budget, income from these sectors has now sharply declined.

"Well, we will hold appropriate negotiations with them. We will talk to them about what needs to be done," stated Marco Rubio.

This diplomatic push underscores Washington's growing concern over European energy reliance on Russia, a vulnerability highlighted by the ongoing war in Ukraine. The initiative is part of a broader Western strategy to weaken Moscow's economic and political influence on the continent by encouraging a shift to alternative energy sources and reducing dependence on traditional suppliers.