US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated that Ukraine and its allies have successfully thwarted Russian President Vladimir Putin's primary objective of capturing the entirety of Ukraine in his full-scale invasion.
Hegseth emphasized that the bravery of the Ukrainians and their allies played a crucial role in deterring and defeating Putin from achieving his desired military goals. He commended the early efforts of the Ukrainians and their supporters for preventing Putin from capturing all of Ukraine.
Regarding the potential impact of a negotiated settlement that awards Putin significant portions of Ukrainian territory, Hegseth noted that Putin is likely to declare victory regardless of the outcome. However, he highlighted that Putin had fallen short of his initial military objectives due to the resilience of Ukraine and its allies.
During a speech in Warsaw, Poland, Hegseth emphasized the importance of NATO's response in determining whether Putin would be emboldened by a negotiated settlement. He stressed the need for NATO to enhance its capabilities and increase spending to better deter potential threats, similar to the approaches adopted by Poland and the Baltic states.
Hegseth expressed confidence that if NATO strengthens its collective ability to deter Putin, it would send a clear message that the West is united in its resolve to counter aggression and protect its allies.
