USA discardes Ukraine adhesion to NATO: “Little Realistic”

“We want, like you, a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine, but we must begin by recognizing that returning to Ukraine borders before 2014 is an unchallenged goal. Pursuing this illusory goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering, “Hegseth said at the beginning of a group meeting of about 50 countries supporting Kiev.

Hegseth took the word at the beginning of the meeting, which was first presided over by the United Kingdom and not by the US. He then said that “a lasting peace for Ukraine should include solid security guarantees to ensure that the war does not start.”

“This should not be Minsk 3.0,” he said, referring to Minsk’s agreements, who sought to end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which began in 2014.

In addition, he stressed that “the United States does not believe that Ukan’s adhesion to NATO is a realistic result of a negotiated agreement,” adding that “instead, any security guarantees should be supported by European and non -European troops.” .

“If these troops are mobilized as Peace Maintenance Forces in Ukraine at some point, they must be mobilized as part of a NATO mission and should not be covered by Article 5” of the Washington Treaty (which guarantees the collective defense of those allies), highlighted Hegseth.

The Pentagon head also stated that “there must be a robust international supervision of the contact line.”

“To make it clear, as part of any security guarantee, there will be no American troops highlighted in Ukraine,” he said.

Hegseth also noted that “to even enable effective diplomacy and reduce energy prices that fund the Russian war machine,” US President Donald Trump is “releasing American energy production and encouraging other countries to do the same”.

“Lower energy prices, along with a more effective application of energy sanctions, will help bring Russia to the negotiating table. Safeguarding European security should be an imperative for NATO European members, “he said.

In this context, it also said that Europe “must provide an overwhelming portion of lethal and non -lethal future assistance to Ukraine”, which means donating more ammunition and equipment, expanding its industrial defense base and also “talking frankly to its citizens about threatens Europe faces ”and invest more in defense.

According to the US Secretary of Defense, the current goal of 2% of GDP is not enough: “President Trump ordered 5% and I agree.” Hegseth also told his partners “directly and without ambiguity” that “harsh strategic realities prevent the United States from focusing mainly on European security.”

“The United States face serious threats to its own territory. We should focus on this, and we are focusing on protecting our own borders, ”he said, adding that they are“ prioritizing the dissuasive of war with China in the Pacific, recognizing the reality of scarcity and making resources concessions to ensure that dissuasion does not fail ” .

“Dismissal cannot fail, for the sake of all (…). Together we can establish a division of labor that maximizes our comparative advantages in Europe and Pacific, respectively, ”he said.

Anyway, he said he was seeing “promising signs that Europe sees this threat, he understands what needs to be done and is starting to work.”

According to Hegseth, NATO’s continuity “will require our European allies to manifest and assume responsibility for conventional security on the continent.”

“The United States is still committed to the NATO alliance and the end -point defense association with Europe, but the United States will no longer tolerate an unbalanced relationship that fosters dependence,” he said.