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A return to the borders of Ukraine before 2014 is an “unrealistic goal,” said the US defense minister on Wednesday when he brought cold water through the view of NATO membership for the country.
US President Donald Trump swore to end this almost Three -year war As soon as possible, if you frighten many European NATO allies who fear that they will be forced to accept a peace agreement that is not on the conditions of Ukraine.
“We want a sovereign and wealthy Ukraine like you,” said Pete Hegseth in Brussels. But he added that a return to the borders of the country before the Russian annexation of the Crimean and DE Facto -occupation of the East Donbas region was an “unrealistic goal”.
“The persecution of this illusionary goal will only extend war and cause more suffering,” he added.
Defense Minister’s comments came at a Minister of Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), a body that coordinates the arms in the country in Brussels.
The Trump government’s demands for one Quick end The UkraineKlieg is a great shift by the former US President Joe Biden, who committed to the financing of Kyiv’s war effort and at the same time set sanctions against the Russian economy.
In a further sign of a possible relaxation with the Kremlin Trump’s special representative Steve Witkoff traveled to Moscow on Tuesday to secure the publication of Marc FogelA US teacher who has been detained in Russia since 2022.
Kyiv has asked NATO membership as a final security guarantee against future Russian aggression.
At the meeting of more than 50 western allies who support Ukraine militarily, Hegseth said: “The United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic result of a negotiated settlement.”
He also excluded the use of US troops in the country after the end of the war with Russia.
“Every security guarantee should be supported by capable European and non-European troops,” said Hegseth, adding that the troops used in Ukraine should not be part of a NATO mission and should not be treated under the reproduction of the mutual defense of Alliance.
His comments were frustrated and disappointed in Kyiv, where high -ranking officials said they would work to find alternative security agreements with European allies.
Hegseth also repeated Trump’s rhetoric that the United States needed European allies to spend more for their own defense and no longer rely on American support for their security.
“The United States will no longer tolerate an unbalanced relationship that promotes dependency,” added Hegseth.
The British Defense Minister John Healey said during the meeting that the USA would show the UDCG “continued commitment”.
“It is a pleasure to be accompanied by (Pete) Hegseth, who confirmed the continued commitment of the USA for this UDCG this morning,” said Healey.
Trump warned that he could suspend US gun deliveries to Ukraine.
Additional reporting by Chris Miller; Cartography by Steven Bernard
