New U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth plans to attend the upcoming Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in the Ramstein format, which will take place next week in Brussels.
That’s according to one U.S. defense official and four people familiar with the plan, Ukrinform reports, citing Politico.
“New U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is traveling to Europe next week, plans to attend the Ukraine meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels,” the report reads.
Last month’s 25th meeting of the Ramstein Format was led by ex-U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin just days before President Donald Trump returned to the White House.
The United States could potentially lead future Ramstein gatherings; the Trump administration has not committed to future weapons support for the war-torn country.
The Trump administration’s views on the UDCG remain unclear, and it is still uncertain whether the UK will take on leadership beyond Wednesday’s meeting. The contact group nations are still negotiating who will permanently lead the group going forward, officials said.
The next Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting will take place on February 12 at NATO headquarters, chaired by the United Kingdom. The meeting will be led by UK Defense Secretary John Healey.
Photo: Pete Hegseth / Facebook
Source: U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth to attend Ramstein meeting – Politico
