US to miss Ramstein meeting: Rutte clarifies future of Ukraine arms supplies
Photo: Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General (Getty Images)
The United States will not suspend its military assistance to Ukraine despite Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to miss the upcoming Ramstein meeting, said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during a press conference.
When asked whether the US decision to miss the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting signaled a broader withdrawal from such initiatives, Rutte made it clear that Washington remained committed. He emphasized that the US is not stepping back from participation in similar formats.
Rutte noted that the upcoming Ramstein meeting would be co-chaired by UK Defense Secretary John Healey and French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
He added that the flow of American weapons and intelligence to Ukraine continues as usual.
US to skip April Ramstein meeting
Earlier this week, Defense News reported that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would not attend the next Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting scheduled for April 11. Thus, for the first time, the US Secretary of Defense will be absent from the Ramstein meeting.
According to the outlet, it is also unlikely that the Pentagon will send other high-level officials to the meeting.
Hegseth attended the February session, but more as an observer. At that time, the US announced no new military aid to Ukraine.
