Hegseth to attend Ukraine Defense Group only practically

On Friday, the military leaders of around 50 countries will meet in Brussels to discuss kyiv aid expeditions, we will be significantly absent: the defense secretary Pete Hegseth.

Instead of attending the rally, the 27th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, in person, Mr. Hegseth should compose and participate virtually.

It will be the first time since the creation of the group three years ago that the best civilian in the Pentagon will not be physically present for a meeting in person in the group, because the Trump administration treats Ukraine less as a partner and is close to Russia.

President Trump promised on the campaign track to settle the war between Russia and Ukraine even before an oath, and said he could do it within 24 hours. But ceasefire negotiations with Washington, kyiv and Moscow did not give the end of the fighting that led to around 100,000 Ukrainians and 150,000 Russian soldiers.

The American leadership of the contact group had provided a buoy for the rescue of weapons and equipment to the armed forces of Ukraine, but the flow of goods has greatly broke out since the second inauguration of Mr. Trump.

Ukraine particularly needs air defense ammunition, such as patriot missiles that the United States previously shipped. This was highlighted last week when a Russian missile attack in the center of Ukraine struck near a playground, killing 19 civilians, including nine children.