Ukraine Should Abandon Its Plans To Reclaim Lost Territory From Russia, Says US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

(MENAFN- Live Mint) US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Wednesday (February 12) that Ukraine's bid for NATO membership was not a viable outcome in negotiations to end the war. He also suggested that Kyiv should reconsider its goal of reclaiming all Russian-occupied territories and instead focus on securing a peace settlement backed by international forces.

“The United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement,” Hegseth said during a NATO meeting aimed at securing more military aid for Ukraine.

Hegseth's remarks marked a stark departure from previous US policy and aligned closely with Russia's position, which demands Ukraine renounce its NATO ambitions and withdraw from regions annexed by Moscow in 2022.

Trump and Putin agree to begin peace talks

Shortly after Hegseth's statement, President Donald Trump revealed on Truth Social that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that both leaders had agreed to start peace negotiations.

“We talked about the strengths of our respective Nations, and the great benefit that we will someday have in working together. But first, as we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the war,” Trump stated.

He added that US and Russian teams would begin negotiations immediately and that he would be calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to inform him of the conversation.

No US troops in future security agreement

Hegseth also made it clear that while a security guarantee for Ukraine should be established, it would be enforced by European and other international troops-not by the United States.

“To be clear, as part of any security guarantee, there will not be US troops deployed to Ukraine,” he emphasised. He further insisted that NATO should not be involved in any future peacekeeping mission, as it could trigger Article 5 obligations requiring allied nations to defend those forces in case of conflict.

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