In a significant turn of events during the ongoing Ukraine conflict, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's virtual attendance at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels marks the first absence of a Pentagon chief in person since the group's inception in 2022. This meeting, involving representatives from nearly 50 nations, aimed to coordinate military aid to Ukraine as it faces renewed aggression from Russia. As the Trump administration aligns itself more closely with Russia, the U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine is reportedly diminishing, with military supplies dwindling. This shift in U.S. support is particularly alarming for Ukraine, which urgently requires air-defense systems to counter recent missile attacks that have tragically resulted in civilian casualties, including the death of 19 individuals, many of them children.
**Virtual Absence: Hegseth Misses Key Ukraine Defense Meeting Amid Evolving Diplomatic Tensions**
**Virtual Absence: Hegseth Misses Key Ukraine Defense Meeting Amid Evolving Diplomatic Tensions**
Defense Secretary's remote participation signals a shift in U.S. support following Trump's second inauguration.
As ongoing ceasefire negotiations falter, pressure mounts on Washington to reassess its approach to the Ukraine crisis under the Trump administration.
