Hegseth Says Ukraine's Return to Pre-2014 Borders 'Unrealistic'

This does not mean that a decision has been made to start a war, but Russia is arming and building the capacity to make that decision,

the report said

I haven't had any concrete indications that a decisive step could be on the horizon

government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit told a press conference

The United States will no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship which encourages dependence, rather our relationship will prioritize empowering Europe to own responsibility for its own security,

Hegseth said

Part of this is speaking frankly with your people about how this threat can only be met by spending more on defense,

he said, urging attendees to donate more ammunition and equipment to Ukraine and expand their defense industrial bases

President Trump has been clear with the American people and with many of your leaders that stopping the fighting and reaching an enduring peace is a top priority. He intends to end this war by diplomacy and bringing both Russia and Ukraine to the table,

Hegseth said at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting in Brussels

2 percent is not enough. President Trump has called for 5 percent and I agree."

Calling for increased defense spending, he said

Our message is clear, the bloodshed must stop and this war must end,

he stated

There will not be U.S. troops deployed to Ukraine to further enable effective diplomacy and drive down energy prices that fund the Russian war machine,

he said

Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering,

he added

Arrived at NATO HQ. Our commitment is clear: NATO must be a stronger, more lethal force — not a diplomatic club, ... Time for allies to meet the moment."

Hegseth wrote on X

The chief-of-staff of the SBU Anti-Terrorist Centre was working for the enemy,

the SBU said in a statement

Safeguarding European security must be an imperative for European members of NATO,

Hegseth said

This Russian terror against Ukraine will not stop on its own,

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after the attack, calling for partners to show unity in pushing for a just end to the war

We want, like you, 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 in opening remarks before the Ukraine Defense Contact Group

The United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement,

Hegseth said

Members of this contact group must meet the moment … 2% is not enough,

he said

If these troops are deployed as peacekeepers to Ukraine at any point, they should be deployed as part of a non-NATO mission and not covered under Article 5. There also must be robust international oversight of the line of contact,

he continued

There are voices which say that Europe could offer security guarantees without the Americans, and I always say no" and that "Security guarantees without America are not real security guarantees."

In an interview this week with The Guardian, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said

The U.S. is prioritizing deterring war with China in the Pacific, recognizing the reality of scarcity, and making the resourcing tradeoffs to ensure deterrence does not fail,

Hegseth added

I told them that I want the equivalent, like $500 billion worth of rare earth. And they've essentially agreed to do that. So at least we don't feel stupid. Otherwise, we're stupid,

Trump added