During a Ukrainian meeting in Brussels, Pete Hegseth stated to end Russia’s war against Ukraine is the highest priority. But in order to succeed, it was necessary, according to him to think, realistic.
“We must start by admitting that it is unrealistic to believe that it is possible to return to Ukraine’s borders from 2014. This illusory goal only extends the war and increases suffering,” said Pete Hegseth.
Ukraine should also not count on a NATO membership, he said.
The direction for US new Ukrainian policy was expected, says SVT’s European correspondent Christoffer Wendick, on site in Brussels.
– Maybe not so many people expected was that Pete Hegseth would be so directly. There was a rush through the Pressalen, and I think everyone understood that this will characterize the discussion about Ukraine in the near future, he says.
“Reflects a realism”
Before Donald Trump’s presidency, there was concern that US support for Ukraine would decrease. That has not been the case.
– The United States has resumed support for Ukraine but also tries to balance it and place much more responsibility on Europe, says Christoffer Wendick.
The statement from the United States violates President Volodymyr Zelenskyjs and many Ukrainians’ hope that it will be able to regain a diplomatic way from 2014.
– It reflects a realism that the new US government wants to spend on the war. On the battlefield it looks like it does and military way Ukraine will not be able to win back the territories, says Wendick.
Europeans are now also forced to think that war in Europe can lead to the boundaries being redone in the continent. It has not happened since the Second World War.
Zelenskyj suggested land change
On Tuesday, Zeleskyj stated that he planned to offer Russia a direct territorial exchange, including parts of the Kursk region, which is now controlled by Ukraine, to help put an end to the war.
But the offer was rejected on the contrary by Moscow, where Dmitry Medvedev, vice chairman of Russia’s Security Council, called the proposal “nonsense”.
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