The revelation that the UK defence secretary will chair the next iteration of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) – the position previously the purview of the US Defense Secretary – has raised questions over the future intent of Washington in its support of Ukraine.
In a social media post on 6 February, the UK’s mission to Nato confirmed previous reports that UK Defence Secretary John Healey would convene the next meeting of the UDCG, due to take place at Nato’s HQ in Brussels on 12 February 2025.
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The UK Joint Delegation to Nato stated the UDCG would gather ahead of the Nato Defence Ministerial Meeting to “discuss priorities for Ukraine”, as Ukrainian forces continue their fight against Russian forces.
Apparently absent a US defense secretary, it is unclear what US Department of Defense (DoD) presence will be at the UDCG next week.
Since the outbreak of the Ukraine-Russia war in 2022, UDCG meetings have been chaired by now former US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the 25th and last of which took place on 9 January this year.
In his final address to the UDCG, Austin said: “This coalition has had [Ukraine’s] backs for nearly three hard years of war, and we must not stop now.”
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By GlobalDataThe UDCG brings together some 50 nations that are providing defence support to Ukraine, either through military equipment or finances used to acquire vital capabilities. Since 2022, UDCG members have contributed more than $126bn in security assistance to Ukraine, including tanks, munitions, fighter aircraft, and ammunition.
When contacted by Army Technology, the US DoD declined to comment on the absence of a US chair at the next UDCG, or whether Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth would attend future meetings.
Trump skeptical of continuing Ukraine support
Since the administration of former President Joe Biden left office on 25 January 2025 to make way for the return of President Donald Trump, there have been no official announcements of US military and security assistance packages to Ukraine.
It has previously been reported by Army Technology that $4bn in Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) funding is available to use should it be deemed necessary.
However, Trump is a noted skeptic of continuing support to Ukraine, stating before his accession to the White House for the second time that he would end the Ukraine-Russia war inside 48 hours of his taking office.
This stance has shifted, with the intention that a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia could be reached in 100 days of Trump returning to power. This would provide a notional timeline of a cessation of hostilities by May this year.
With US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth certain to not chair the UDCG, and an unknown quantity for the Nato defence ministerial meeting, a series of unknown’s hover of the Western Alliance’s support of Ukraine.
Should it be shorn of US finances and military equipment stockpiles, the future for Ukraine could be bleak.
