During his first working trip to Europe, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to urge allies to increase NATO spending and military assistance to Ukraine, the Pentagon said.
“At his first NATO ministerial meeting with his alliance colleagues, he will discuss with allies and partners the need to increase defense spending, strengthen European leadership, and expand the capabilities of the defense industrial base on both sides of the Atlantic,“ the document said.
"During the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the first that the United Kingdom will chair, the secretary will reaffirm President Trump's commitment to ending the war in Ukraine through diplomatic means as soon as possible. He will also emphasize the need to strengthen Europe's leadership in providing security assistance to Ukraine“, the statement said.
On February 10, the Defense Minister will go on a working trip, during which he will visit Germany, Belgium, Poland, and will also participate in a meeting of the Contact Group on Arms Supplies to Ukraine in Brussels.
The 26th meeting of the Contact Group on Arms Supplies to Ukraine in the “Rammstein“ format is scheduled to be held in Brussels on February 12. As the Times newspaper reported earlier, the meeting will be chaired for the first time by British Defense Secretary John Healy.