Hegseth Weighs in on Ukraine Joining NATO, U.S. Troops Being Deployed to the Region [WATCH]

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth addressed NATO allies in Brussels on Wednesday, stating that restoring Ukraine’s borders to their pre-2014 status is not a feasible goal.

Speaking to the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at NATO headquarters, Hegseth emphasized the Trump administration’s focus on bringing an end to the war through diplomacy.

Hegseth reiterated that President Donald Trump is committed to stopping the ongoing conflict, which is now nearing its third anniversary.

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“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 stated.

The Defense Secretary also highlighted a shift in U.S. strategic priorities, noting that the country must focus on securing its own borders and deterring threats in the Pacific. “Stark strategic realities prevent the United States from being primarily focused on the security of Europe,” he said.

Hegseth outlined what he believes is necessary for lasting peace in Ukraine, stressing that “a durable peace for Ukraine must include robust security guarantees to ensure that the war will not begin again.”

However, he dismissed the idea of Ukraine joining NATO as part of a settlement, stating, “The United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement.”

Instead, he proposed that any security guarantees should be supported by capable European and non-European forces acting as peacekeepers.

“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,” Hegseth explained.

BREAKING: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Ukraine:

– No NATO membership
– No return to pre-2014 borders
– No U.S. troops in Ukraine
– No more relying on U.S. for the majority of military funding pic.twitter.com/pkVqbEsuyV

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 12, 2025

He made it clear that no American forces would be sent to Ukraine as part of these security efforts.

“To be clear, as part of any security guarantee, there will not be U.S. troops deployed to Ukraine,” he added.

In an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier on Special Report, President Trump provided an update on negotiations, stating that “tremendous progress” has been made toward reaching a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia.

Trump also spoke about the financial and strategic interests of the United States in Ukraine, emphasizing that U.S. aid should be tied to tangible benefits.

“They have tremendously valuable land in terms of rare earth, in terms of oil and gas, in terms of other things. I want to have our money secured because we’re spending hundreds of billions of dollars,” Trump said.

Regarding Ukraine’s future, Trump indicated that its sovereignty remains uncertain.

“They may make a deal. They may not make a deal. They may be Russian someday, or they may not be Russian someday,” he stated.

Trump also claimed that Ukraine had agreed to grant the U.S. access to significant resources.

“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,” he said.

In an interview with The Guardian, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concern over discussions of European-led security guarantees that do not include the U.S.

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

Hegseth reiterated the administration’s position that the United States must focus on its own security concerns rather than prioritizing European defense.

“The United States faces consequential threats to our homeland. We must—and we are—focusing on securing our own borders,” he said.

He also pointed to the growing challenge posed by China, emphasizing the need for a strategic pivot.

“We also face a peer competitor in China with the capability and intent to threaten our homeland and core national interests in the Indo-Pacific,” he 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.

“As the United States shifts its attention to these threats, European allies must lead from the front.”

The remarks from Hegseth and Trump signal a shift in U.S. foreign policy under the administration, with an emphasis on diplomacy, strategic interests, and rebalancing America’s global commitments.

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