**U.K. Takes Over Ukraine Defense Contact Group**
The United Kingdom will host the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on February 12, taking over from the U.S. The move comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has pulled his country out of established international agreements.
**Europe Steps In**
With the U.S. no longer in charge, European countries will now take on a bigger role in supporting Ukraine. Lawmaker Yehor Cherniev said that Europeans will focus on supplying their own-made weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. The main burden will now shift to Europe, with the UK’s presidency symbolizing changes in support for Ukraine.
**Ukraine’s Needs**
Ukraine needs help to bolster its air defense, deep-strike capabilities, and secure a steady supply of ammunition. Ambassador Natalia Galibarenko said that Ukraine expects strong participation from partners and new pledges of military support at the Ramstein meeting.
**US Still Involved**
Despite the U.S. pulling out, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will attend the meeting in Brussels but won’t announce new military shipments to Ukraine. The UK’s takeover is seen as a symbolic move, showing that Europe will continue to support Kyiv no matter what happens in the US.
**Uncertainty Ahead**
The adjustment comes as Ukraine and Europe await Trump’s next moves. Uncertainty looms over whether the Ramstein meeting would even exist under Trump. The U.S. president has claimed to have a plan to end the war in Ukraine and said he is in contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
**Experts Weigh In**
Liana Fix, a fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations, agreed that it’s good news that Ramstein continues regardless of the change in US leadership. She suggested that Europe should have taken over Washington’s leadership role long ago and implemented a rotation system to share the burden.