The event is taking place against the backdrop of tense negotiations over President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine. Some European diplomats have expressed concerns that their positions might not be taken into account in this process.
The NATO ministers’ meeting is usually held twice a year, and it is rare for a US Secretary of State to miss it.
“Secretary Rubio has already attended dozens of meetings with NATO allies, and it would be completely impractical to expect him to be present at every meeting,” a State Department spokesperson said.
At the same time, Ukrainian and European representatives fear that Rubio’s absence could weaken the US influence at a critical moment when peace talks with Russia are being discussed.
Such an absence of a US Secretary of State from NATO meetings is rare. The last similar case occurred in 2017 with Rex Tillerson. Now, amid tense negotiations regarding Ukraine, allies are watching Washington’s level of engagement especially closely.
