BRUSSELS: NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the U.S. was "putting every pressure" on Russia to end its war with Ukraine, as the alliance's defence ministers met in Brussels on Thursday (February 12).

"I really think the U.S. is doing exactly what we need when it comes to Ukraine", Rutte said, mentioning sanctions on Russian oil companies and deliveries of weaponry through the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL).

Asked if U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's absence at the meeting showed weakening commitment by the U.S. to NATO, Rutte said he understood that Washington had to balance keeping NATO strong with its priorities in the western Hemisphere and Indo-Pacific.

The U.S. will be represented at the meeting by U.S Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby.