US will not leave Rammstein format, support for Ukraine will continue – Rutte

The absence of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from the upcoming meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense is not a sign of an end to the supply of American military equipment or intelligence information to Ukraine.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said this at a press conference in Brussels on Friday, ahead of a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers.

He answered a question from a Ukrinform journalist about whether Hegseth's absence from the upcoming meeting in the Ramstein format indicates the US withdrawal from the initiative, and how this relates to NATO's goal of strengthening Ukraine's position in future peace talks.

“The answer is no, both the British and the Germans, that is, the two defence ministers, will jointly chair the meeting, and the flow of American goods and intelligence information to Ukraine will continue as usual,” Rutte said.

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For the first time, the US defense secretary will not attend the Ramstein-style meeting scheduled for April 11 in Brussels. Hegseth will not be present either physically or virtually.

Photo: PAP/EPA/IVIER MATTIS

Source: ukrinform.net

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