BRUSSELS — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cast doubt on Ukraine’s ambitions to join NATO during his visit to the alliance, describing these aspirations as unrealistic.
He advised Ukraine to let go of its goal to restore its borders to their pre-2014 status and instead to entertain the possibility of negotiating with Russia, potentially with the aid of international troops.
U.S. Stance on Ukraine’s Defense
This visit marked the inaugural appearance of a representative from the newly-installed Trump administration at NATO.
Allies were eager to understand how the United States plans to continue its military and financial support for Ukraine amidst ongoing challenges.
Hegseth emphasized that President Donald Trump intends to shift the financial and military burdens of Ukraine’s defense predominantly onto European partners.
He suggested that future peacekeeping missions should exclude American troops.
Moreover, he stressed that any international force should not invoke NATO’s Article Five, which guarantees collective defense among member states.
Implications for NATO Allies
In Hegseth’s view, the goal of restoring Ukraine to its pre-2014 borders is misguided, especially in light of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its assertions over eastern Ukraine.
He highlighted the need for Ukraine’s allies to recalibrate their expectations in light of these circumstances.
Addressing the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of nearly 50 nations that has rallied behind Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began in 2022, Hegseth called on member nations to step up their commitments.
Following his speech, U.K. Secretary of State for Defence John Healey noted Hegseth’s insights during a press conference before a private meeting focused on future support for Ukraine.
Future of Ukraine’s Defense Support
Over the past three years, these nations have collectively provided upwards of $126 billion in military aid to Ukraine, with the U.S. contributing over $66.5 billion.
The current UK-led session has yet to outline who will lead upcoming meetings.
As the third anniversary of the Russian invasion approaches on February 24, 2022, Hegseth was not anticipated to unveil any new military assistance package for Ukraine.
Concerns loom among allies that a potential triumph for Russian President Vladimir Putin could signal a broader threat to European security.
President Trump has expressed a desire for a prompt resolution to the conflict, citing concerns over the financial impact on U.S. taxpayers and suggesting that Ukraine could trade access to its natural resources in exchange for ongoing assistance.
Hegseth also pointed out the pressing need for NATO nations to significantly increase their defense expenditures to 5% of their GDP—an aspiration that the U.S. itself has not met.
He conveyed that the U.S. is reassessing its alliances and signaling a push for Europe to take on greater responsibility for its defense.
Some U.S. allies conveyed their unease about the prospect of a hasty peace deal that may not benefit Ukraine.
Before Hegseth’s address, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte noted that effective negotiations with Putin would require ongoing military support for Ukraine, highlighting the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia.
The foundation of NATO rests on the principle of collective defense, wherein an attack on one member is viewed as an attack on all, a concept Ukraine has sought to embrace for years as it seeks greater security guarantees.
In response to the escalating threats from Russia, numerous European countries have ramped up military spending since the onset of the conflict, with many surpassing the 2% GDP target set by NATO.
However, about one-third of NATO members have yet to meet this benchmark, an issue likely to receive attention from Trump.
During a recent press encounter in Germany, Hegseth did not commit to increasing U.S. defense spending to the 5% GDP target but indicated that it should exceed levels established during the Biden administration while remaining above 3%.
He clarified that final decisions on defense expenditures would rest with Trump, while also stressing the importance of prudent management of taxpayer funds.
Currently, U.S. defense spending hovers around 3.3% of GDP.
Looking ahead, NATO leaders are expected to tackle new spending goals at their forthcoming summit in The Hague, Netherlands, scheduled for late June.
Source: Militarytimes