The head of the Pentagon was not at Ramstein for the first time, but the States still participated at a different level
Pete Hegset (Photo: HOW HWEE YOUNG / EPA)

On June 4, the United States Secretary of Defense did not participate in the meeting of the contact group on defense issues in Ukraine in the "Ramstein" format for the first time. At the same time, Washington was represented at the level of Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker. This was stated by the head of the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, during a conversation with journalists, Radio Liberty reports.

Hegseth, answering the question about why he was not at Ramstein, noted that the US ambassador to NATO participated in the meeting.

The US Secretary of Defense also thanked the United Kingdom and Germany for taking the lead in the Ramstein format.

"From the very beginning of this administration [of Donald Trump], we have worked with our British and German colleagues to take the lead on this contact group, which they have done, and I appreciate that," the Pentagon chief said.