US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed concerns on Thursday regarding the United States' stance on Ukraine following President Donald Trump's recent signals of willingness to make concessions to Russia in pursuit of a ceasefire. This comes almost three years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.
Hegseth emphasized that the path to peace in the region will require both sides to acknowledge uncomfortable truths. He highlighted the significant commitment of the United States to the Ukrainian mission, noting the billions in aid provided to support Ukraine's war efforts.
Responding to fears of betrayal, Hegseth stated unequivocally that there had been no betrayal on the part of the US. He underscored the importance of recognizing the complexities of the situation and the efforts being made to address them.
Regarding Ukraine's aspirations for NATO membership, Hegseth previously referred to them as unrealistic. He described the conflict in Ukraine as a catalyst for reevaluating and strengthening the defense alliance, echoing President Trump's calls for increased defense spending by NATO member states.
Hegseth emphasized the need for greater defense investment, suggesting that even the current target of 2% of GDP was insufficient. He stressed the critical nature of allocating 5% of defense spending, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the broader security challenges posed by Russia.
