For the first time since its establishment, the Contact Group on the Defence of Ukraine will hold a meeting without representation from the United States. The decision by Washington to skip the summit, set to take place on April 11 in Brussels, has caused concern among European partners, who see it as a possible shift in the US approach to military support for Kyiv. The meeting will instead be led by the United Kingdom and Germany.
According to European officials and sources within the American government, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegset will not attend the meeting either in person or via video conference. Furthermore, Washington is not expected to send any senior representatives, marking a significant departure from previous meetings. This move follows Hegset’s remarks in February, where he stated that US national interests would take precedence over international commitments, fuelling speculation about a decrease in American involvement.
The Contact Group on the Defence of Ukraine was formed in 2022 by former US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin to coordinate international military aid for Kyiv. Since its creation, the group’s member states have mobilised over 126 billion US dollars (approximately 100 billion GBP) in support, with nearly half of that amount coming from the United States.
| Funding for Ukraine via Contact Group | Amount (USD) | Approximate GBP Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Total Aid Mobilised | 126 billion | 100 billion |
| US Contribution | 63 billion | 50 billion |
Washington’s absence from the meeting raises concerns about the effectiveness of future cooperation, as the US military has traditionally provided strategic assessments and intelligence crucial for coordinating aid deliveries. In response, European allies are already considering alternative structures to maintain support for Ukraine, with an increased leadership role for the UK and Germany.
The US withdrawal from the meeting also comes at a time when Ukraine faces financial constraints. The Pentagon has 3.85 billion US dollars (around 3 billion GBP) remaining for military assistance to Kyiv, but no funds allocated to replenish supplies. Despite Ukraine’s urgent need for continued military aid, there has been no indication from US Congressional leaders of plans to approve additional funding.
Meanwhile, the UK Defence Secretary will chair the upcoming meeting, with the aim of mobilising more military support and intensifying pressure on Russia. European partners are determined to prevent any weakening of assistance to Ukraine, even as political uncertainty in Washington threatens to undermine previous commitments.
