US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated that a return to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is unrealistic, and the Trump administration does not view NATO membership for Ukraine as a viable solution to the war instigated by Russia’s invasion.
During a meeting with Ukraine’s military allies at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Mr. Hegseth made the clearest and most direct public statement regarding the new US administration’s stance on the nearly three-year conflict.
He also communicated to Washington’s NATO allies that they must enhance their contributions and take on greater responsibility for the security of Europe.
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“Pursuing this illusory goal will only extend the war and increase suffering,” he remarked.
Russia seized the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014 and has since supported pro-Russian separatists in an armed insurrection against Kyiv’s forces in the eastern Donbas region.
Currently, Russia occupies about 20% of Ukraine’s territory, primarily in the east and south.
Mr. Hegseth emphasized that any lasting peace must involve “robust security guarantees to ensure that the conflict does not reignite”.
Damage is evident on the streets of Zaporizhzhia following a Russian drone attack earlier this month.
However, he asserted that “the United States does not trust that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated solution”.
Instead, security guarantees should entail “capable European and non-European forces,” the Pentagon chief stated.
“If these forces are deployed as peacekeepers to Ukraine at any time, they should do so as part of a non-NATO mission and must not be protected under Article 5,” he added, referring to the alliance’s mutual defense clause.
In a vigorous introduction at NATO headquarters, the former television anchor articulated the framework for a future agreement that Mr. Trump has promised to establish to end Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
“Our message is unequivocal: the bloodshed must cease, and this war must conclude,” he informed a group of Kyiv’s supporters, which included his Ukrainian counterpart.
Mr. Hegseth noted that Mr. Trump was “unleashing US energy production” and encouraging other producers to do likewise to lower prices and pressure Moscow into negotiations.
Nonetheless, he insisted that Europe should now take on the “overwhelming share” of aid for Ukraine.
The tough US position had been largely anticipated but will still serve as a stark wake-up call for Kyiv, as its forces strive to fend off Russian advances.
Mr. Hegseth’s trip to NATO headquarters marks the beginning of a series of high-level US visits to Europe since Trump’s inauguration.
These visits are expected to culminate with Vice President JD Vance meeting Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky in Munich on Friday.
Regarding European security, Mr. Hegseth echoed Mr. Trump’s requests for NATO to more than double its defense spending target to 5% of GDP.
While he confirmed that Washington remains committed to NATO, the United States will “no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship” in which Europe underfunds its defense.
He cautioned that US primary interests are now primarily focused on the threat from China and that there may be “trade-offs” concerning American involvement in Europe.
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“As the United States shifts its attention to these threats, European allies must take the initiative,” he remarked.
US allies have already increased their military spending in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and are pledging to do more to support Kyiv.
“Secretary Hegseth, we hear you,” responded Britain’s defense minister John Healey briefly.
“We hear your concerns about stepping up for Ukraine; we are and we will. Regarding stepping up for European security, we are and we will.”
Britain unveiled a new aid package for Ukraine valued at $185 million.
NATO’s European members are fearful of Ukraine being cornered into a detrimental agreement that allows Moscow to claim victory and leaves them facing an emboldened Russia.
The United States has reinforced European security through NATO over the past seventy years.
Mr. Hegseth’s assertive stance is poised to initiate negotiations for establishing a new spending target for alliance members at a summit in the Netherlands in June.
NATO chief Mark Rutte anticipates that the goal will rise to “north of 3%.”
“We need to do significantly more to have what is necessary for deterrence and defense. Furthermore, there must be more equitable burden sharing,” he stated.
