The New York Times reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth powdered his nose before a brief February photo opportunity with Ukraine's defense minister, an action framed as prioritizing optics. Early in his Pentagon tenure he relied on civilian advisers, some linked to Elbridge A. Colby, who urged shifting resources away from Ukraine. An adviser recommended pausing certain munitions deliveries and not spending about $3.8 billion carried over from the Biden administration. Ukraine’s Rustem Umerov pressed Hegseth for honesty about continued munitions support; Hegseth allegedly offered mainly nods instead of substantive answers.
NYT: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Powdered His Nose Before Ukraine Photo Op, Then Gave Only Nods
New reporting in The New York Times paints a striking picture of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth early in his Pentagon tenure, saying he prioritized optics before a brief February encounter with Ukraine's defense minister and offered little substantive response when pressed about continued munitions support.
Advisers Shaping Early Policy
The Times describes Hegseth as arriving at the Pentagon with limited prior views on the Russia–Ukraine war and relying heavily on a circle of civilian advisers. One former Pentagon official told the paper that "he didn’t have any of his own thoughts on Russia and Ukraine. But he had civilian advisers who did." Among those advisers were figures linked to Elbridge A. Colby, who previously advocated shifting U.S. defense focus toward the Indo-Pacific.
Recommendation To Pause Munitions Deliveries
According to the report, on Day 4 of his tenure Hegseth convened a meeting where an adviser, Dan Caldwell, urged pausing certain munitions deliveries that the Biden administration had promised to Ukraine. Caldwell argued that existing U.S. stockpiles were needed to support broader global plans and opposed using roughly $3.8 billion left unspent under the previous administration to purchase weapons for Ukraine. Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was present and, the story says, remained largely silent as the recommendation was presented.
Photo Op, Powder, And A Plea For Honesty
The Times recounts that during a subsequent European trip Hegseth prepared carefully for a short, public encounter with Ukraine's defense minister. An American official who was present said Hegseth dabbed powder on his nose from a compact and told an aide to "look commanding," apparently mindful of television optics. The handshake and brief exchange were captured for cameras, but the Ukrainians had requested a fuller sit-down.
"I just need you to be honest with me. Just be honest with me," Ukraine Defense Minister Rustem Umerov reportedly told Hegseth, pressing for clarity on whether U.S. munitions deliveries approved by the Biden administration would continue.
The Times reports that Hegseth responded mainly with nods rather than detailed answers. U.S. and Ukrainian officials in the account said Umerov was not asking for a specific commitment but for candor about U.S. intentions, stressing that deliveries of approved munitions were a matter of life and death on the front lines.
The New York Times story was highlighted and republished by Mediaite.
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