Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth stated President Donald Trump’s transfer towards negotiations with Russia to finish the battle with Ukraine was “no betrayal” throughout a go to to NATO headquarters in Belgium on Thursday.
Hegseth replied to a reporter’s query in regards to the U.S. doubtlessly betraying Ukraine after Trump had a telephone name with Russian President Vladimir Putin about starting to barter peace with out Kyiv’s full involvement.
“There isn’t a betrayal there,” Hegseth informed reporters. “There’s a recognition that the entire world and the US is invested and eager about peace, a negotiated peace.”
Russia and Ukraine have been at battle since February 2022, when Russia first invaded its neighboring nation. Trump had repeatedly stated whereas on the marketing campaign path that if he was president in 2022 the battle wouldn’t have damaged out — vowing to finish it if re-elected.
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United States Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth speaks with the media as he arrives for a gathering of NATO protection ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (AP Photograph/Harry Nakos)
On Wednesday, Trump stated he had a “prolonged” name with Putin, which included the Russian chief agreeing to “instantly” start negotiations over the battle in Ukraine. Trump additionally spoke with Zelenskyy individually. After talks with each leaders, Trump stated he would “most likely” meet in particular person with the Russian chief within the close to time period, presumably in Saudi Arabia.
Responding to a separate query, Hegseth referred to the telephone calls and pointed to Trump’s skill as a negotiator.
NATO Secretary Basic Mark Rutte, proper, and United States Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth tackle a media convention throughout a gathering of NATO protection ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (AP Photograph/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
“I believe you noticed from President Trump yesterday, who himself is one of the best negotiator on the planet, bringing two sides collectively to discover a negotiated peace, which is in the end what everybody needs,” he stated. “So I sit up for the ministerial at this time with our NATO allies to have trustworthy conversations about the place we’re.”
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Hegseth additionally stated he believes Trump is the “one man on the planet able to convening the events collectively to convey peace.”
Throughout his go to to NATO headquarters on Wednesday, Hegseth informed allies that “returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic goal,” as Trump works to convey an finish to the battle.
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“He intends to finish this battle by diplomacy and bringing each Russia and Ukraine to the desk. And the U.S. Division of Protection will assist obtain this purpose,” Hegseth stated. “We wish a sovereign and affluent Ukraine. However we should begin by recognizing that returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic goal. Chasing this illusionary purpose will solely extend the battle and trigger extra struggling.”
Fox Information Digital’s Emma Colton and Greg Norman, together with The Related Press, contributed to this report.
