United States Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth stated on Wednesday that the war between Ukraine and Russia “must end,” but emphasised that Ukraine’s membership in NATO was not a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement.
Speaking before the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting in Brussels, Hegseth also outlined a shift in US priorities, stating that the country would no longer focus on European and Ukrainian security.
Instead, he said the Trump administration would focus on securing the US borders and deterring conflict with China.
According to CNN, Hegseth made it clear that any security guarantees for Ukraine should involve European and non-European troops, with no US military personnel deployed to the country.
“The United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement,” Hegseth said. He added that any security guarantees offered to Ukraine “must be backed by capable European and non-European troops.”
“To be clear, as part of any security guarantee, there will not be US troops deployed to Ukraine,” he said.
CNN reported that Hegseth further asserted that the restoration of Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders—before Russia annexed Crimea and its invasion of eastern Ukraine—was an unrealistic objective.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently argued that NATO membership is essential for Ukraine’s security and future deterrence against Russia.
However, Hegseth’s comments about the need for European leadership on Ukraine’s security were echoed by NATO allies.
While some, including UK Defense Secretary John Healey, acknowledged the need for European nations to take greater responsibility, others voiced concern that the US stepping back from its leadership role could undermine the alliance.
Following Hegseth’s speech, former President Donald Trump announced that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that the two had agreed to begin immediate negotiations aimed at ending the war. Trump added that he would inform President Zelensky about the discussions.
The US defence secretary also reiterated Trump’s call for European countries to increase their defense spending to give per cent of GDP, a shift from the current NATO target of two per cent.
While NATO has been preparing for a potential reduction in US involvement, the alliance’s smaller eastern flank countries, particularly those near Russia, expressed concern about the US stepping back.
Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds called the US “absolutely indispensable” in countering Russian aggression.
Although Hegseth did not announce new US aid to Ukraine, existing military assistance from previous US administrations continues.
