U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said returning Ukraine to its pre-2014 borders is not a realistic goal and that NATO membership for Kyiv is not part of a negotiated settlement. He urged European allies to take greater responsibility for regional security.
The U.S. has ruled out supporting Ukraine’s aim to restore its pre-2014 borders and does not view NATO membership for Kyiv as a viable outcome, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a meeting of Ukraine’s military allies at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Hegseth gave the most direct statement yet on the Trump administration’s approach to the nearly three-year-old war.
"We want, like you, a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine. But we must start by recognising that returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective," Hegseth told officials from Ukraine and over 40 allied nations.
"Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering," he added.
His comments mark a sharp departure from the Biden administration’s position, which backed Ukraine "for as long as necessary" and prioritised restoring its territorial integrity.
Hegseth also signalled that Washington expects its NATO allies to take on greater security responsibilities in Europe. He said U.S. border security concerns and threats posed by China meant that America could no longer be "primarily focused on the security of Europe."
His remarks indicate a significant shift in U.S. policy, suggesting Ukraine may have to abandon key war objectives—reclaiming territory from Russia and securing long-term NATO protection.
While Trump administration officials had previously hinted at these changes, Hegseth’s statement was the clearest indication yet that Washington does not support Kyiv’s long-term aspirations.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Hegseth stated that any durable peace deal must include "robust security guarantees" to prevent renewed conflict but ruled out deploying U.S. troops to Ukraine as part of those guarantees.
He also made clear that Washington does not see Ukraine’s NATO accession as a realistic part of any settlement. Instead, he said security guarantees should involve "capable European and non-European troops" but should not be under NATO’s mutual defence umbrella.
"If these troops are deployed as peacekeepers to Ukraine at any point, they should be part of a non-NATO mission and should not be covered under Article 5," he said, referring to the alliance’s collective defence clause.
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The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) has condemned the Trump administration for barring an Associated Press (AP) reporter from a presidential event over the news agency’s refusal to adopt the term “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico”.
NASA’s acting administrator Janet Petro said on Wednesday that a government efficiency panel led by Elon Musk will review the space agency’s spending, while confirming that hundreds of NASA employees have accepted a federal buyout plan.
North Korea is dismantling a facility at its Mount Kumgang resort used for reunions of families separated by the Korean War, South Korea said on Thursday, calling the move a violation of humanitarian principles.
El Salvador’s Congress has approved a law allowing minors convicted of serious gang-related crimes to be housed in adult prisons, though in separate areas. The move is part of President Nayib Bukele’s ongoing crackdown on organized crime.
Dozens of Venezuelan migrants are stranded at the Costa Rica-Panama border, unable to return home as they plead for transit permission through Panama.
The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) has condemned the Trump administration for barring an Associated Press (AP) reporter from a presidential event over the news agency’s refusal to adopt the term “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico”.
NASA’s acting administrator Janet Petro said on Wednesday that a government efficiency panel led by Elon Musk will review the space agency’s spending, while confirming that hundreds of NASA employees have accepted a federal buyout plan.
The Sarandí stream in Buenos Aires, Argentina, turned bright red on Thursday for unknown reasons, raising concerns among authorities and residents. The waterway, which flows into the Río de la Plata, is under investigation to determine the cause.
Uzbekistan’s flag carrier has announced airline’s plan to purchase a dozen of aircrafts from Boeing and Airbus, marking a significant milestone in upgrading and expanding its fleet.
Azerbaijan has halted activities of “Russian House” in Baku according to local media reports on Thursday, following accusations of espionage. This is being described as an escalation of tensions between the two countries.
Elon Musk has called for the shutdown of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Voice of America (VOA), arguing that the U.S.-funded media outlets serve as government propaganda tools and waste taxpayer money.
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North Korea is dismantling a facility at its Mount Kumgang resort used for reunions of families separated by the Korean War, South Korea said on Thursday, calling the move a violation of humanitarian principles.
El Salvador’s Congress has approved a law allowing minors convicted of serious gang-related crimes to be housed in adult prisons, though in separate areas. The move is part of President Nayib Bukele’s ongoing crackdown on organized crime.
Dozens of Venezuelan migrants are stranded at the Costa Rica-Panama border, unable to return home as they plead for transit permission through Panama.
The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) has condemned the Trump administration for barring an Associated Press (AP) reporter from a presidential event over the news agency’s refusal to adopt the term “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico”.
NASA’s acting administrator Janet Petro said on Wednesday that a government efficiency panel led by Elon Musk will review the space agency’s spending, while confirming that hundreds of NASA employees have accepted a federal buyout plan.
North Korea is dismantling a facility at its Mount Kumgang resort used for reunions of families separated by the Korean War, South Korea said on Thursday, calling the move a violation of humanitarian principles.
El Salvador’s Congress has approved a law allowing minors convicted of serious gang-related crimes to be housed in adult prisons, though in separate areas. The move is part of President Nayib Bukele’s ongoing crackdown on organized crime.
Dozens of Venezuelan migrants are stranded at the Costa Rica-Panama border, unable to return home as they plead for transit permission through Panama.
The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) has condemned the Trump administration for barring an Associated Press (AP) reporter from a presidential event over the news agency’s refusal to adopt the term “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico”.
NASA’s acting administrator Janet Petro said on Wednesday that a government efficiency panel led by Elon Musk will review the space agency’s spending, while confirming that hundreds of NASA employees have accepted a federal buyout plan.
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