In a major shift in US policy towards the war in Ukraine, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth outlined a hardline approach during his first meeting with NATO allies in Brussels. While promoting the end of the conflict as a top priority, Hegseth emphasized that a durable peace can only be achieved through a realistic assessment of the battlefield. He urged Ukraine to abandon its goal of returning to pre-2014 borders and prepare for negotiations with Russia, potentially with the backing of a non-NATO international force. He also stated that Ukraine’s NATO membership was not feasible.
Hegseth’s statements signal a departure from previous US policies, with an increased focus on challenges posed by China’s growing global influence. European countries were called upon to provide the majority of future aid to Ukraine, as well as to increase defense spending towards Trump’s proposed 5% of GDP. However, meeting this target may be difficult for many European nations that are still struggling to reach the current 2% commitment.
In terms of Ukraine’s long-term security, Hegseth proposed a new vision that did not include eventual NATO membership, instead suggesting a non-NATO security guarantee backed by capable European and non-European troops. He made it clear that US troops would not be deployed to Ukraine as part of any security guarantee. The announcement came shortly before Trump’s first call with Russian President Putin, where both leaders expressed a desire to end the conflict and achieve successful negotiations.
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