The Pentagon calls for a rare military meeting while Trump increases the criticism of Russia

The Pentagon is Gather hundreds of American military leaders For an unusual meeting – Whoever intervenes as President Donald Trump increased his criticisms of Russia and the Pentagon is preparing a new national defense strategy prioritizing the defense of the fatherland.

Several officials of the War Department have confirmed to Fox News that the Pentagon asked the best military commanders to meet in Virginia for the meeting this week. However, the subject of the discussion remains uncertain.

The Pentagon confirmed the meeting but did not offer details.

Hegseth orders hundreds of military commanders in Virginia for an unprecedented meeting

Defense secretary Pete Hegseth arrives for a press conference at the Pentagon on June 22, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. (Images Andrew Harnik / Getty)

“The Secretary of War will address his senior military leaders at the start of next week,” said chief spokesperson Sean Parnell in a statement last week.

The unusual meeting would involve around 800 generals and admirals based in the United States and stationed in various parts of the world.

People invited to Reunion say they have been told little, told Fox News Digital. Thursday, the generals exchanged messages from around the world by speculating on the reasons why the secretary might want to see them face to face.

The Washington Post reported for the first time the plans of the Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for Thursday’s meeting. The post also reported on Friday that Hegseth planned to discuss the “warrior pharmacy” with the officers.

Meanwhile, the meeting occurs in the midst of several key developments in global and national security, notably Trump categoric criticism and anger towards Russia in the midst of his current war with Ukraine.

NATO defense leaders stress commitment to Ukraine, discuss security guarantees during the virtual summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared on the “special relationship” that his relationship with President Donald Trump had improved. (Ukranian Presidency / Handout / Anadolu via Getty Images)

For example, Trump expressed his frustration with Russia on Tuesday and accused Moscow of “fighting without a goal” and compared Russia to a “paper tiger”, after meeting Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York in the United Nations General Assembly.

In addition, he said he thought that Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, could obtain all its territory when the war between Russia and Ukraine persists.

“I think that Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is able to fight and win all of Ukraine in its original form. Over time, patience and financial support from Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original borders of the place where this war started, is an option,” said Trump in a Tuesday on social networks. “Putin and Russia are in great economic difficulty, and it’s time for Ukraine to act.”

In recent weeks, Russia has tested the limits of NATO, apparently daring members of the defensive alliance to respond. Russian drones were found in Polish and Romanian airspace and three Russian jets carrying missiles recently flew over from Estonia.

The American ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz has promised that the United States would defend NATO “each thumb” in its United Nations address and that Trump has thought that the Nations should shoot down Russian planes that cross their territory.

Behind the closed doors, US officials fear that the situation could degenerate.

“Almost all wars, if you look at them, they do not necessarily start with a big bang,” said a head of the main state department at Fox News Digital. “They start with an escalation, then someone feels that they have to answer this, then you find yourself in a toxic spiral.”

“The last thing we want is that NATO is trained in a war with Russia.”

Joint chiefs, NATO counterparts to discuss Ukrainian security guarantees after Trump suggests American air support

President Donald Trump speaks during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (Unga) at the United Nations headquarters on September 23, 2025 in New York. (SOMODEVILLA / GETTY Images)

The meeting also comes when administration officials bring together a new national defense strategy which identifies the defense of the fatherland as absolute priority – alignment with the “America First” agenda. Previously, the national defense strategy has identified the fight against the fight against China as its higher objective.

Likewise, the meeting occurs while the Pentagon has eyes on the slimming on its best officers. Hegseth previously unveiled plans in May to reduce 20% of four -star generals and admirals, as well as an additional 10% reduction in general and flag officers through the army.

Jennifer Griffin of Fox News contributed to this report.