BRUSSELS — For the first time, the primary international assembly responsible for securing weapons and ammunition for Ukraine will convene without U.S. leadership, highlighting rising concerns about the future of American support for the war-torn nation.
The Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which includes around 50 partner countries, was initiated by former U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, aiming to align and coordinate military assistance.
Former President Donald Trump has voiced doubts about continued U.S. backing for Ukraine. He has openly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, indicating discussions with Russia have taken place to seek a resolution to the conflict. Trump recently mentioned his intention to potentially meet both Zelenskyy and President Vladimir Putin, wishing to see an end to the war, although he withheld specifics on where the talks would occur.
The United Kingdom is set to host the 26th gathering of this contact group at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday. This meeting is focused on defining priorities for Ukraine as the global community continues its efforts to assist in combating Russia’s aggression, according to a statement from the British Ministry of Defense.
This marks the first instance where a nation other than the U.S. has taken the lead in organizing the forum; however, Austin’s successor, Pete Hegseth, is expected to participate. It remains uncertain whether the U.K. decided to hold this meeting independently or at the request of the U.S.
A senior U.S. official acknowledged the significance of the UK facilitating discussions among the 50-plus nations involved, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among allies in achieving lasting peace in Ukraine. The official requested anonymity, as they were not permitted to communicate with the press.
The United States remains the largest contributor of military assistance to Ukraine, supplying approximately 30% of the country’s armaments—equivalent to what the combined 27 nations of the European Union provide.
Kathleen Burk, an emeritus professor of history at University College London, noted that if the U.S. prompted the U.K. to lead the gathering of Ukrainian allies, it signals a potential decline in U.S. engagement in the situation.
During the last meeting in January, President Zelenskyy participated while the Biden administration was actively working to enhance military support for Ukraine, which included a new $500 million weapons package and easing restrictions on missile strikes against Russia.
The objective was to ensure Ukraine was positioned favorably ahead of any future negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict. In June of last year, NATO defense ministers established a lasting framework for consistent security aid and military training for Ukraine, responding to delays in Western military support that had allowed Russian forces to gain momentum on the battlefield.
The NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), which commenced operations in December, was designed to provide a robust and stable support system for Ukraine, described by NATO officials as a way to safeguard NATO commitments regardless of any changes in U.S. administration policy. Headquartered at a U.S. military installation in Wiesbaden, Germany, NSATU was positioned to serve as a complement to the contact group rather than as a replacement.
