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.
Ukraine’s Air Force lost an F-16 fighter jet on Friday following an in-flight malfunction; the pilot ejected safely after diverting the aircraft from populated areas, and investigators say there’s no indication of Russian fire.
The United States has warned Vietnam that its \$123 billion trade deficit is “unsustainable” as both nations enter reciprocal tariff negotiations, prompting Hanoi to crack down on illicit transshipments and seek greater imports of U.S. high-tech goods.
In a high‑stakes May 18 runoff, nationalist George Simion and centrist Nicușor Dan clash in a tight race that could steer Romania’s political and European trajectory for years to come.
On May 19, London and Brussels are set to kick off their first annual summit, prioritizing a new UK–EU defense and security pact even as negotiations continue with Washington over tariff relief on British steel, cars and aerospace components.
Archer Aviation’s four‑seat “Midnight” electric air taxi will shuttle fans, VIPs and support teams between major LA28 venues—SoFi Stadium, the Coliseum, LAX and more—in 10–20 minute hops, marking the first use of eVTOLs at any Olympic Games.
Ukraine’s Air Force lost an F-16 fighter jet on Friday following an in-flight malfunction; the pilot ejected safely after diverting the aircraft from populated areas, and investigators say there’s no indication of Russian fire.
The United States has warned Vietnam that its \$123 billion trade deficit is “unsustainable” as both nations enter reciprocal tariff negotiations, prompting Hanoi to crack down on illicit transshipments and seek greater imports of U.S. high-tech goods.
In a high‑stakes May 18 runoff, nationalist George Simion and centrist Nicușor Dan clash in a tight race that could steer Romania’s political and European trajectory for years to come.
On May 19, London and Brussels are set to kick off their first annual summit, prioritizing a new UK–EU defense and security pact even as negotiations continue with Washington over tariff relief on British steel, cars and aerospace components.
Archer Aviation’s four‑seat “Midnight” electric air taxi will shuttle fans, VIPs and support teams between major LA28 venues—SoFi Stadium, the Coliseum, LAX and more—in 10–20 minute hops, marking the first use of eVTOLs at any Olympic Games.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace at 10:00 local time today to explore security guarantees, territorial integrity and a possible ceasefire.
Ukraine’s Air Force lost an F-16 fighter jet on Friday following an in-flight malfunction; the pilot ejected safely after diverting the aircraft from populated areas, and investigators say there’s no indication of Russian fire.
The United States has warned Vietnam that its \$123 billion trade deficit is “unsustainable” as both nations enter reciprocal tariff negotiations, prompting Hanoi to crack down on illicit transshipments and seek greater imports of U.S. high-tech goods.
In a high‑stakes May 18 runoff, nationalist George Simion and centrist Nicușor Dan clash in a tight race that could steer Romania’s political and European trajectory for years to come.
On May 19, London and Brussels are set to kick off their first annual summit, prioritizing a new UK–EU defense and security pact even as negotiations continue with Washington over tariff relief on British steel, cars and aerospace components.
Archer Aviation’s four‑seat “Midnight” electric air taxi will shuttle fans, VIPs and support teams between major LA28 venues—SoFi Stadium, the Coliseum, LAX and more—in 10–20 minute hops, marking the first use of eVTOLs at any Olympic Games.
Ukraine’s Air Force lost an F-16 fighter jet on Friday following an in-flight malfunction; the pilot ejected safely after diverting the aircraft from populated areas, and investigators say there’s no indication of Russian fire.
The United States has warned Vietnam that its \$123 billion trade deficit is “unsustainable” as both nations enter reciprocal tariff negotiations, prompting Hanoi to crack down on illicit transshipments and seek greater imports of U.S. high-tech goods.
In a high‑stakes May 18 runoff, nationalist George Simion and centrist Nicușor Dan clash in a tight race that could steer Romania’s political and European trajectory for years to come.
On May 19, London and Brussels are set to kick off their first annual summit, prioritizing a new UK–EU defense and security pact even as negotiations continue with Washington over tariff relief on British steel, cars and aerospace components.
Archer Aviation’s four‑seat “Midnight” electric air taxi will shuttle fans, VIPs and support teams between major LA28 venues—SoFi Stadium, the Coliseum, LAX and more—in 10–20 minute hops, marking the first use of eVTOLs at any Olympic Games.
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