The UK is to take over the leadership of the Ukraine defence group from the US.

Next week, John Healey, the Defence Secretary, will convene the 26th Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels.

It will be the first time the UK has led the group, after it was instructed by the Americans to take charge on enhancing Ukraine’s security within Nato.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the UDCG will meet ahead of the Nato defence ministers’ meeting on Wednesday to discuss priorities for Ukraine as the international community continues to work together to support the country in its fight against Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion.

Pete Hegseth, the new US defence secretary, will be in attendance along with up to 50 other nations, as first reported by The Times.

It comes as the US has vowed to take a lesser role in Europe, with Donald Trump having called on Nato members to increase their defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP.

Currently the UK spends 2.3 per cent of GDP on defence, however last month Labour pledged to set a deadline for raising this to 2.5 per cent by the spring.