New US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to assume the role of backseat driver in his first in person meeting with European counterparts on Wednesday as the new Trump administration works to shift responsibility for Ukrainian and European security squarely to NATO and the EU.

After U.S. President Donald Trump's administration froze donations in January to Cambodia's largest demining organization, which works to clear the countryside of deadly remnants of Washington's past wars in Southeast Asia, the group announced new funding - from China.

If officially approved, this plan is expected to ease concerns among Ukrainian officials who worry that former President Trump might block further U.S. aid. Read also: Trump hits ICC prosecutor with sanctions after Putin arrest warrant European countries have previously purchased American weapons for Ukraine under the Biden administration.

The Trump administration plans to push European allies to buy more American weapons for Ukraine ahead of possible peace talks with Moscow. The move could improve Kyiv's negotiating position, according to Reuters.