Hegseth rules out Ukraine NATO membership as part of any ceasefire with Russia
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia must include security assurances in Ukraine, but “it should not be provided through NATO members, but must be given a competent European and non-European military. Support.”
Secretary of Defense made a speech before the president Trump announces On Wednesday’s call with Russian leaders, he reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to begin negotiations with Russian leaders to end the war in Ukraine to begin negotiations to begin negotiations , to start negotiations. He said he would immediately call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “notify him of the conversation.”
A speech delivered before the closed-door meeting of the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group discussed further assistance from Ukraine, Hegseth – a “unrealistic goal”.
“As part of any security guarantee, there will be no U.S. military deployment to Ukraine,” the US Secretary of Defense said.
Furthermore, he said that any peacekeeping force deployed to Ukraine should not be part of NATO’s mission and should not be covered by Article 5 of the Coalition’s Joint Defense Agreement.
Since Russia’s full invasion of the country in February 2022, about 50 countries have formed the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group, which has provided support to Ukraine.
Heggs said Europe should “provide an overwhelming share of lethal and non-lethal aid to Ukraine” and urged those attending the Brussels summit to publish exchanges with the government on increasing defense spending as the United States shifts its focus elsewhere The focus.
Heggs said we will not be “the main guarantor of European security”
“I am here today, too, expressing Stark’s strategic reality directly and explicitly, preventing the United States from becoming the main guarantor of European security,” Heggs said.
“The United States is prioritizing war with China in the Pacific, recognizing the reality of reality and enabling resource trade-offs to ensure that deterrence does not fail. As the United States shifts its attention to these threats, European allies must lead from the frontlines , Heggs said.
According to the Associated Press, the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group has provided Ukraine with more than $126 billion in military aid and weapons. The United States has provided $66.5 billion in funding and has been hosting the group since its inception. It is not clear who will chair the next meeting.
“We heard it,” said British Defense Minister John Healey in response to Hegseth’s speech.
Mr. Trump promised that he would quickly end the war in Ukraine when he took office earlier this year, which he often complained was too expensive for American taxpayers.
Hegseth said in his speech that the United States and Europe “can establish a labor ministry that maximizes our comparative advantage in Europe and the Pacific, respectively, but it “will require our European allies to enter the arena and have regular safety.” The ownership of this continent. ”
“The United States remains committed to the NATO alliance and has established partnerships with Europe,” Heggs said. “However, the United States will no longer tolerate imbalanced relationships, which will encourage dependence. Instead, our relationship will prioritize empowering Europe,” he said. Responsibility for its safety.”
Contributed to this report.
