At NATO headquarters on Wednesday, a familiar scene unfolded—leaders and defense officials from nearly 50 countries gathered around the table, united by a shared mission: to keep supporting Ukraine in its long and painful fight for survival. But one notable chair sat empty.
For the first time since the Ukraine Defense Contact Group was formed in 2022, the U.S. Secretary of Defense was absent. Pete Hegseth, who recently stepped into the role, will arrive in Brussels after the meeting wraps. His absence, while downplayed officially, comes at a time when Ukraine’s struggle is as urgent—and as human—as ever.
Over 12,000 innocent civilians in Ukraine have lost their lives, according to U.N. estimates. Each number tells a heartbreaking story: a child who won’t return to school, a parent missing from the dinner table, entire families forced to rebuild their lives from rubble. The war, now in its fourth year, shows no signs of slowing down. And for Ukraine, every delay in support could mean more loss.
Despite the missing American presence at the table, Ukraine’s allies pushed forward. The U.K. and Germany chaired the session, announcing plans to ramp up drone production—a critical asset in the modern battlefield. U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey said that British companies are drawing on real-time combat experience to develop smarter, more agile drones aimed at protecting civilians and bolstering defense.
Since 2022, more than $126 billion in military aid has been sent to Ukraine, with over half coming from the United States. But recent signs of hesitation from Washington—combined with growing geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific—have sparked concern among NATO allies. European leaders fear a pivot away from Ukraine could send a troubling message, especially as threats from other global powers loom.
French President Emmanuel Macron voiced what many are thinking: if the West falters now, it risks losing credibility not only in Ukraine but in its ability to confront future crises—like a potential conflict over Taiwan.
In war, every move—or lack of one—speaks volumes. For Ukraine, the message from Brussels this week is clear: some allies are still standing strong, but the uncertainty from Washington leaves questions that grow more urgent by the day.
