While downplaying the possibility of Kiev regaining its pre-2014 borders or joining NATO as a response to Russia’s invasion, Pete Hegseth maintains that Europe must take the initiative in its own defense.
In addition to warning Europe against treating America like a “sucker” by holding it accountable for its defense, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed criticism of Washington’s negotiation approach with Russia regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
Hegseth stated at a press conference held at NATO headquarters in Brussels, “There is no doubt that President Trump will not permit anyone to make Uncle Sam into ‘Uncle Sucker.'”
He stated on Thursday that Europe should bear the primary responsibility for defense on the continent.
Hegseth’s announcement on Wednesday that a return to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders was unrealistic and that the Trump administration does not see NATO membership for Kiev as part of a solution to the war triggered by Russia’s 2022 invasion has sparked a storm of criticism in Europe, marking his first foreign appearance since taking over the Pentagon on January 24.
In what they called a significant win for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hegseth’s detractors claim that the comments amounted to the United States ceding its negotiating power with Russia before any talks had even begun.
Hegseth defended his comments Thursday as a recognition of the reality of the battlefield and allowed the United States to make concessions during negotiations on topics such as force numbers in Europe and US supplies to Ukraine.
He said he would not outshine US President Donald Trump in negotiations, but “I think it would be fair to say that things like future funding, either less or more, could be on the table in negotiations,” he told reporters.
“Restore greatness to NATO.”
Trump instructed US diplomats to start negotiations on ending the almost three-year conflict during his Wednesday meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Both Kiev and NATO’s European partners expressed concern that the White House may strike a deal without them in response to Trump’s unilateral approach to Putin and his apparent compromises on Ukraine’s main objectives.
Zelenskyy told reporters in Ukraine, “As a sovereign nation, we simply will not be able to accept any agreements without us.”
In response to Trump’s peace offer, European leaders publicly adopted a strong stance, stating that any deal would not be able to be implemented unless they and the Ukrainians were involved in its negotiations.
“Any quick fix is a dirty deal,” Kaja Kallas, the head of European foreign policy, told reporters earlier in the day at NATO headquarters.
Hegseth denied that he was jeopardizing European security or NATO.
“NATO is an excellent alliance and the most successful defense alliance in history, but our allies need to contribute far more for Europe’s defense if we want it to continue in the long run. “We have to restore NATO’s glory,” he declared.
