Brussels, Feb 12: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said NATO membership for Ukraine was unrealistic and in sweeping remarks suggested that the way forward for Ukraine was for the country to abandon hopes of a return to its pre-2014 borders and prepare for a negotiated settlement with Russia – one that should be backed up with an international force of troops.
Hegseth made the comments Wednesday during the first trip to NATO by a member of the new Trump administration. Allies have been waiting to hear how much continued support Washington intends to provide to Ukraine. What they heard was that President Donald Trump is intent on getting Europe to assume the majority responsibilities for the defence of Ukraine. (AP)
