**US Defense Secretary Hails UK for Supporting Ukraine**
The US Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, has praised the United Kingdom for taking a lead in supporting Ukraine. He said that the UK is “stepping up” to help Ukraine during a meeting with his British counterpart on March 6.
Hegseth said that the US is encouraging European allies to take the lead in securing Ukraine’s post-war stability. This comes as the Trump administration has ruled out sending its own troops to Ukraine.
The comments from Hegseth come amid shifting dynamics within the US. The Trump administration has distanced itself from Ukraine, halting military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
**UK and France Plan Peace Deal**
Meanwhile, the UK and France are planning a peace deal with Ukraine. They aim to finalize the plan in days and present it to the US. This comes as EU leaders met in Brussels to discuss additional support for Ukraine.
The UK’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said that a coalition of European nations is being formed to negotiate a successful ceasefire in Ukraine. He said that this will include planes in the air and boots on the ground.
**US Reiterates Support for Peace**
U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his support for peace in Ukraine. He said that he wants to bring an end to the war, but has not committed to sending troops.
However, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, suggested that Ukraine was to blame for the US halting military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
**Increased Aid for Ukraine**
Norway has agreed to increase its aid for Ukraine by 50 billion Norwegian krone ($4.6 billion) to a total of 85 billion Norwegian krone ($7.8 billion) in 2025.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that the best security guarantee for Ukraine is the Ukrainians themselves. She also suggested that extending NATO’s coverage to Ukraine could be an option.
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