Head of the Pentagon Pete Hegseth will not be present on Wednesday at a meeting about the war in Ukraine, where it will meet over 50 other leaders defense.
As AP describes, this first such situation Since the United States has established an international group coordinating military assistance for Ukraine three years ago – Ramstein.
“This is the latest in a series of steps taken by the US to distance itself from the war in Ukraine,” notes AP.
War in Ukraine. A surprising US movement
An American official who wanted to maintain anonymity confirmed the AP agency that HegeS will not only not appear in person, but also will not take part in the meeting via video link.
This happened just after the statement of French President Emmanuel Macron at a conference on security last weekend.
Macron warned the US and other countries that focusing on conflict with China can lead to the abandonment of Ukraine, threatening Washington's credibility.
Ramstein group. The USA turns away from the team they presided over
The predecessor of Hegset, Lloyd Austin, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, created a contact group for coordinating military assistance for Ukraine – Remstein.
From that time Over 50 Member States provided Ukraine military with a total value of around $ 126 billion, of which over $ 66.5 billion came from the United States.
Under the leadership of Austin, the United States they were the chairman groups, and the head of the Pentagon and chairman of the college of combined bosses of staffs participated in CO monthly meetingswhich took place both in person and via the video link.