United States Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, is to attend meetings at NATO HQ in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday as allies hoped for clarity on Washington’s continued support for Ukraine.
It’s commitment to the Western military alliance.
During his two-day visit to Brussels, Hegseth is to attend on Wednesday afternoon a gathering of the so-called Ukraine Defence Contact Group where weapons deliveries to Ukraine are coordinated.
The continuation of the U.S. vast support for Kiev has been called into question as U.S. President Donald Trump wanted to end the war in Ukraine as quickly as possible.
The group, whose meetings often lead to new military aid pledges, was initiated by the U.S. almost three years ago but will be convened for the first time by UK Defence Secretary John Healey.
On Thursday, Hegseth planned to attend a meeting of NATO defence ministers focused on military spending and expanding defence industry capacities.
Trump had long criticised the low defence expenditure in some NATO countries and has urged allies to increase spending to 5 per cent of their gross domestic product (GDP).
This is more than double the current target.
Trump’s return to the White House also raised concerns about the U.S. role in helping to ensure European security and the future of thousands of U.S. troops.
The troops that are stationed on the continent as their presence is an integral part of NATO’s defence capabilities.
The U.S. administration’s interest in making the Danish territory of Greenland part of the U.S. is not on the official agenda.
It could be raised on the sidelines as NATO member Denmark will also be represented at the meeting.
