The NATO defense ministers are convening for their defense ministerial meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on February 12, 2026. The Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, is scheduled to hold a media briefing in advance of the meeting on Wednesday. This annual gathering is significant as it allows member countries to discuss defense strategies and policies, particularly in light of current global security challenges.

Notably, the meeting will see the absence of US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who participated in last year’s meeting and delivered his first speech in Europe. Instead, his role will be taken by Elbridge Colby, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, marking a key shift in representation at this year's meeting. Colby has been involved in the formulation and implementation of the new US national security strategy, reflecting the evolving stance of the US in NATO's operations and defense initiatives.

IS (Ilta-Sanomat) is closely monitoring the developments from the defense ministers' meeting, including live text coverage available at the conclusion of the article. The event is expected to set the stage for subsequent discussions at the Munich Security Conference, as Colby prepares for his address, aiming to provide insight into NATO's strategic direction and the collective defense posture in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.