Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth handed Russian President Vladimir Putin a major win even before officials begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
Speaking at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact group, Hegseth said Ukraine joining NATO is unrealistic and that the US will no longer prioritize European and Ukrainian security as the Trump administration focuses on securing United States’ borders and deterring China. according to CNN.
“We want a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine. But we must start by recognizing that returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective,” Hegseth said. “Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering.”
“The United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement,” he said, advocating instead for “security guarantees 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,” Hegseth added.
Hegseth’s remarks were seen by experts as the United States giving away a major bargaining chip before the Russians come to the table and surrendering Ukrainian territory to Putin.
“There it is. They’re going to surrender territory,” national security lawyer Bradley Moss wrote.
“Ludicrous that some push the bs that the Trump regime would do anything for Ukraine. In the latest, Hegseth says no NATO membership for Ukraine and frankly doesn’t support Ukraine reclaiming its territory. The only thing these criminals want to do is please Russia while stealing minerals,” Olga Lautman, of the Center for European Policy Analysis wrote.
“Oh and screw European security because U.S. has an imaginary war on the border Russia is popping champagne bottles,” Lautman added.
