For the first time since the creation of the Contact Group for the Defence of Ukraine, the United States will not participate in the 50-country meeting scheduled for 11 April in Brussels. The absence of US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth marks a significant change in the leadership of the coalition, which until now has played a central role in coordinating military aid to Kiev.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to European and US sources, Hegseth will attend neither in person nor virtually. The Pentagon will not even send a high-level representative, as has been the regular practice at the group's previous 26 meetings. This is a clear sign of the new line taken by the Trump administration, which is increasingly reluctant to maintain a leading role in military support for Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the last meeting in February, Hegseth had already manifested a critical approach, urging the European allies to take more responsibility for their own defence, reducing their historical dependence on the US. He had also stated that no decision would be made on Ukraine's entry into NATO without a direct assessment by the administration, drawing criticism even within the US Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Contact Group, established on the initiative of then Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in 2022, has so far been instrumental in mobilising over USD 126 billion in military aid to Ukraine, half of it from the US. Its symbolic headquarters is the Ramstein air base in Germany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Austin's only absence at a meeting was in early 2024 for health reasons. Even then, however, he attended remotely, delegating leadership to a senior Pentagon official, Celeste Wallander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, with the American disengagement, Europe and the United Kingdom are considering a new leadership structure. Germany and Britain will chair the Brussels meeting, representing respectively the EU's largest economic power and one of Europe's most operational armed forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without the US presence, partners fear an impoverishment of the quality of information shared. Briefings conducted by the Pentagon leadership and US European Command have so far been crucial in outlining needs on the ground and targeting aid. The absence of these strategic inputs could limit the coalition's ability to respond effectively to the evolving conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To make matters worse, the US recently suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine for a week, immediately after a difficult visit of President Zelenskyy to the White House. In parallel, arms deliveries were also temporarily halted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Pentagon still has 3.85 billion<\/strong> authorised for military supplies, but no longer has funds for stock replacement<\/strong>which is holding back further shipments. Meanwhile, the US Congress has no concrete plans for new allocations<\/strong>leaving Ukraine in a position of increasing uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This situation could accelerate the transformation of the European role in the security of the continent. Some member states are already developing alternative formats for aid management and defence strategies. However, as Wallander warned, the absence of the United States will have real costs<\/strong>both in terms of operational and political effectiveness.<\/p>\n\nTowards a more autonomous Europe?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n