Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Calls for End to Ukraine War, Outlines U.S. Military Limits
BRUSSELS, Belgium — Speaking at NATO headquarters on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called for an end to the Ukraine war and set clear boundaries for future U.S. military involvement in any peace settlement.
“We are meeting at a critical moment. As the war nears its third anniversary, our message is clear: The bloodshed must stop, and this war must end,” Hegseth stated at a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting.
He emphasized that President Trump’s priority is to stop the fighting through diplomacy and bring both Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table. "The U.S. Department of Defense will help achieve this goal," Hegseth affirmed.
Realistic Goals for Peace
Hegseth warned against pursuing "unrealistic objectives," stating that a return to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders—before Russia’s annexation of Crimea—would prolong the war and increase suffering. He also dismissed Ukraine’s NATO membership as an impractical outcome, arguing that any future security guarantees should involve European and non-European troops, not NATO forces.
If peacekeepers were ever deployed in Ukraine, Hegseth insisted they should be part of a non-NATO mission without the protection of Article 5, which requires NATO members to come to a nation’s defense if attacked.
Hegseth also underscored the need for "robust international oversight" of the frontline in any peace agreement and made it clear that no U.S. troops would be sent to Ukraine.
Pressuring Russia Through Energy Policy
To bring Russia to the negotiating table, Hegseth said Trump would use economic pressure, particularly by driving down energy prices that fund Russia’s war machine.
“President Trump is unleashing American energy production and encouraging others to do the same. Lower energy prices, combined with stricter enforcement of sanctions, will help bring Russia to the table,” Hegseth stated.
Europe Must Take the Lead on Ukraine Aid
Hegseth called on European nations to assume a greater role in supporting Ukraine, stating that Europe must now provide the overwhelming share of both lethal and nonlethal aid.
That includes:
- Increasing ammunition and equipment donations
- Expanding defense industrial production
- Preparing citizens for long-term defense commitments
He also urged NATO allies to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, well above the current 2% minimum.
“Increasing your commitment to your own security is a down payment for the future,” Hegseth declared.
Shifting U.S. Priorities: A New Security Balance
Hegseth made it clear that the U.S. could no longer be Europe’s primary security guarantor, as Washington shifts its focus toward securing U.S. borders and countering the growing threat from China.
“As the United States prioritizes these challenges, European allies must lead from the front,” he said.
While reaffirming the U.S. commitment to NATO, Hegseth warned that Washington would no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship that fosters dependency. Instead, he said, the partnership would focus on empowering Europe to take responsibility for its own security.
"Honesty will be our policy going forward—but only in the spirit of solidarity," he concluded.
Hegseth ended by reaffirming Trump’s commitment to working with allies and achieving "peace through strength—together."