Hegseth visits NATO, discusses Ukraine support, deterring China

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is on his first overseas trip as part of the Trump administration, visiting NATO headquarters in Brussels to discuss military support for Ukraine and strengthen alliances. During his visit, Hegseth held talks with U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey, amidst concerns that President Trump's strategies may impact the ongoing support for Ukraine, especially as the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion approaches. Allies are particularly wary of a potential peace deal with Russia that might compromise Ukraine's interests. Hegseth's trip aims to reinforce commitments to NATO and enhance defense readiness among member countries. His agenda includes meetings with military leaders in Germany and a focus on increasing European defense spending and cooperation, culminating in discussions with Polish leaders on bilateral defense efforts. Additionally, Hegseth has plans to collaborate with Elon Musk on reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies within the Department of Defense, indicating a push for modernization in line with Trump's agenda.