Hegseth to skip next Ramstein meeting, Politico reveals who will attend instead
Photo: Pete Hegseth (Getty Images)
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will not take part in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting. He will be replaced by Elbridge Colby, Secretary of Defense for Policy, Politico reports.
Two US officials said that Hegseth’s irregular participation in the Ramstein meetings over the past year indicates a shift in the priorities of the US administration.
According to the outlet’s sources, Washington expects Europe to take on responsibility for providing military support to Ukraine.
The meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, will bring together more than 50 defense ministers from Ukraine’s partner countries. It will be coordinated by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and UK Defense Secretary John Healey, who assumed this role after the US stepped back from leading the group.
At the same time, the United States continues to provide Ukraine with intelligence and deliver previously approved weapons, but no new military aid is being approved.
Ramstein meeting
The next Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting is set for April 15. The key topics will include strengthening air defense and developing drone capabilities.
After the previous Ramstein meeting on February 12, Ukraine received one of the largest support packages. At that time, allies confirmed $38 billion in funding for the purchase of drones, air defense systems, and ammunition.
In addition to securing weapons, Kyiv is currently working on changing the structure of the Ramstein format itself. The reform aims to ensure that each participating country has a clear understanding of its specific contributions to Ukraine’s long-term defense capabilities.
