United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has declared that the war between Ukraine and Russia “must end,” but emphasized that Ukraine’s NATO membership is not a realistic outcome of any peace settlement.
Speaking at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels, Hegseth outlined a shift in US priorities under the Trump administration, stating that the country will no longer focus on European and Ukrainian security but will instead prioritize securing US borders and deterring conflict with China.
US Steps Back, Calls for European Leadership
Hegseth made it clear that any future security guarantees for Ukraine should involve European and non-European troops, with no US military personnel deployed.
“The United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement,” he stated.
The US defense secretary also argued that restoring Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders—before Russia annexed Crimea—was no longer a feasible goal, a stance that contradicts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s long-standing calls for NATO membership as a deterrent against Russia.
NATO Allies React to US Withdrawal
Hegseth’s comments have sparked concerns among NATO allies. While some leaders, like UK Defense Secretary John Healey, acknowledged the need for Europe to take greater responsibility, others fear that the US stepping back from its leadership role could weaken 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 to end the war.
Trump added that he would inform Ukrainian President Zelensky of the discussions.
Increased Military Spending Expected
Hegseth also reiterated Trump’s call for European nations to increase their defense spending to 5% of GDP, a significant jump from NATO’s current 2% target.
Although NATO has been preparing for a potential reduction in US involvement, smaller Eastern European countries, particularly those bordering Russia, have expressed concerns.
“The US is absolutely indispensable in countering Russian aggression,” said Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds.
While Hegseth did not announce new US aid to Ukraine, existing military support from previous administrations remains in place.
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