US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attended the 27th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group virtually instead of physically, marking the first time since its creation three years ago that he has not been present. The group, which includes military leaders from around 50 nations, met in Brussels to discuss aid shipments to Kyiv.
Hegseth’s absence comes as the Biden administration continues to provide significant support to Ukraine despite the Trump administration’s decision to scale back aid. The US has largely halted shipments of arms and materials to Ukraine since President Donald Trump took office.
Ukraine needs air-defense munitions, such as Patriot missiles, which were previously supplied by the US. A recent Russian missile attack on a playground in central Ukraine highlighted the need for these supplies.
During the meeting, officials discussed progress towards achieving an enduring peace in Ukraine and European nations’ efforts to support Ukraine’s defense. Hegseth participated virtually, offering some assessments but also leaving his physical presence absent.
The lack of US participation is attributed to the Trump administration’s focus on Asia-Pacific or Pacific regions, with Hegseth saying his focus will be on these areas. However, he has still provided security assistance and led a peace initiative.
The Ukraine Defense Contact Group was created by Lloyd Austin III in 2022, shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The group has been instrumental in providing military aid to Ukraine, with the Biden administration approving over $34 billion in aid packages since January.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/us/politics/hegseth-ukraine-defense-group.html