Senator Spoke on US-Europe Relations at Chatham House
EUROPE – This past week, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) visited Slovakia, Germany, and England to meet with senior defense officials, military leadership, and diplomatic partners. The trip was part of a bipartisan congressional delegation (CODEL) with Senator Jim Banks (R-IN).
During the trip, Senator Gallego spoke to the need for the U.S. to maintain its leadership globally and how we as a nation should move forwarding collaborating with European partners.
“A lot of us have a true belief, Democrats, Republicans, that we’re going to be here longer than Donald Trump, and our relationship and our transnational relationship has to be and has to survive these types of leadership changes, and I think you will see a Congress that is more dedicated to our historical ties,” Senator Gallego said to an audience at Chatham House.
Slovakia
Senator Gallego begun the trip with a visit to Slovakia, where he met with Prime Minister Robert Fico to discuss strengthening bilateral relations, freedom of press, and support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. He also met with leaders of the Slovak Jewish Community to discuss rising antisemitism, took a walking tour of Nove Zamky, and visited the nearby town of Nesvady—where he previously taught English.
Minister of Defense Robert Kalinak, Representative Jefferson Shreve (R-IN-06), Senator Gallego, Prime Minister Robert Fico, Senator Jim Banks, U.S. Ambassador Gautama Rana, and State Secretary Marek Estok (from left to right) meet in Bratislava
Germany
In Germany, Senator Gallego met with German Minister of Finance, Dr. Jorg Kukies, to discuss Germany’s spending plans and the impact of tariffs. He also met with the German Ministry of Defense to discuss defense cooperation and Germany’s new defense spending plans; State Secretary Susanne Baumann to discuss diplomatic relations and trade policy; and U.S. Army Europe and Africa Commander, General Christopher Donahue, and Security Assistance Group Ukraine to discuss support for Ukraine and troop engagement with Arizona soldiers.
Senator Gallego speaks with German Minister of Finance, Dr. Jorg Kukies
England
Senator Gallego wrapped up the CODEL with a visit to London to speak at Chatham House on countering Russia and China, the Trump Administration’s shifts in trade and foreign policy, and America’s evolving role in global security
Dr. Andrew Payne, Research Director, Europe, Russia and Eurasia, UK in the World, US and the Americas Programmes at Chatham House moderates a Q&A with Senator Gallego
Senator Gallego expressed concerns about how the Trump Administration’s foreign policy is empowering China:
“What’s happening right now, not just with Ukraine, but also with tariffs, is just showing a playbook to the Chinese government about how to disrupt our alliances, how to tear us apart, and how to make us weaker should we ever find ourselves in an engagement. And it does have true effects,” said Senator Gallego. “This is all unfortunately working together in favor of China.”
Watch the full event HERE.
4/16/25