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Home > Headlines > Hegseth expected to skip NATO ministers' meeting next month, sources say

Hegseth expected to skip NATO ministers' meeting next month, sources say

Published by Global Banking and Finance Review

Posted on January 29, 2026

1 min read

Last updated: January 29, 2026

Hegseth expected to skip NATO ministers' meeting next month, sources say - Headlines news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review

Tags:Reuters

Quick Summary

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to skip the NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels next month, following a trend of US officials missing key NATO gatherings.

U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth Likely to Miss Upcoming NATO Meeting

Implications of Hegseth's Absence

BRUSSELS, Jan 29 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is not expected to attend a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels next month, a U.S. official and a NATO diplomat told Reuters on Thursday.

Background on NATO Meetings

If Hegseth does not attend the regular gathering, he will be the second U.S. Cabinet Secretary in a row to skip a NATO ministerial meeting. Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not attend the last NATO foreign ministers' meeting in December.

Previous Absences by U.S. Officials

(Reporting by Andrew Gray and Phil Stewart, Editing by Charlotte Van Campenhout)

Key Takeaways

•US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to miss the NATO meeting.
•The meeting is scheduled to take place in Brussels next month.
•Hegseth's absence follows Secretary of State Rubio's previous absence.
•The absence may impact US-NATO relations.
•The meeting is a regular gathering of NATO defense ministers.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hegseth expected to skip NATO ministers' meeting next month, sources say

1What is the role of the U.S. Defense Secretary?

The U.S. Defense Secretary is the head of the Department of Defense and is responsible for the nation's military policies and operations.

2What are NATO ministerial meetings?

NATO ministerial meetings are gatherings of defense ministers from NATO member countries to discuss security issues, military strategies, and collaborative defense efforts.

Implications of Hegseth's Absence

Background on NATO Meetings

Previous Absences by U.S. Officials

(Reporting by Andrew Gray and Phil Stewart, Editing by Charlotte Van Campenhout)

Key Takeaways

•US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to miss the NATO meeting.

•The meeting is scheduled to take place in Brussels next month.

•Hegseth's absence follows Secretary of State Rubio's previous absence.

•The absence may impact US-NATO relations.

•The meeting is a regular gathering of NATO defense ministers.

Frequently Asked Questions

1What is the role of the U.S. Defense Secretary?

The U.S. Defense Secretary is the head of the Department of Defense and is responsible for the nation's military policies and operations.

2What are NATO ministerial meetings?

NATO ministerial meetings are gatherings of defense ministers from NATO member countries to discuss security issues, military strategies, and collaborative defense efforts.