Pentagon chief skips key Ukraine defense summit in Brussels
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will not participate in the upcoming meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. This marks the first time a Pentagon chief is absent since the coalition was formed, according to the Associated Press.
What you need to know
- The Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting is scheduled for June 4 in Brussels.
- Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth will not attend the summit.
- This is the first meeting without the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
The 28th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group is scheduled for June 4 at NATO headquarters in Brussels. The group was launched in 2022 by former U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to coordinate international military support for Ukraine.
Pete Hegseth, who succeeded Lloyd Austin as Defense Secretary, has maintained U.S. involvement in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. He was present at the February 12 meeting, although not in a leading role, and participated in the April 11 session via remote connection.
A first: Hegseth will be absent
According to the Associated Press, Hegseth will not participate in the upcoming meeting in any capacity—neither in person nor virtually. If confirmed, it will mark the first time the nearly 50-nation coalition supporting Ukraine under the Ramstein format convenes without the presence of the U.S. defense chief.
The June 4 summit will be co-chaired by the United Kingdom and Germany, taking place amid growing concerns over renewed Russian aggression. As Moscow continues to reject calls for a ceasefire, reports suggest it may be preparing fresh offensives against Ukraine.
