The day after President Trump's bid for peace negotiations with Vladimir Putin, the NATO headquarters was filled with concerns and speculations. The fact that the US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth does not see it as realistic that Ukraine will keep its borders or become a member of NATO, of course, added to it.
Secretary-General Mark Rutte, however, tries to pour oil on the waves.
All member countries and Ukraine are united in their desire for peace in Ukraine. We must put Ukraine in the best possible position for peace negotiations, says Rutte at his press conference afterwards.
"Uncle Dumsnut"
The US Defense Minister Hegseth is simultaneously clear about what applies in the negotiations.
No one will get exactly what they want. Everything is on the table. I will not stand here and say what President Trump will do or not do and what concessions will be made or not, emphasizes Hegseth at his press conference after the meeting.
President Trump gave me a clear assignment: Arrange peace through strength – and put America first. President Trump will not allow anyone to turn Uncle Sam into Uncle Dumsnut, says Hegseth.
Is everyone on board?
Meanwhile, criticism is also being heard. Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius calls it "regrettable" that the US appears to have made concessions to Russia already beforehand.
It would have been better to talk about future NATO membership for Ukraine or possible lost territory at the negotiating table, says Pistorius in Brussels.
Several NATO countries also emphasize that above all, Ukraine itself must be part of the negotiations, as well as European countries.
Mark Rutte believes that this is the case, thanks to "intensive coordination".
What I have seen over the past 24 hours is a fantastic sense of unity and coordination of views, says Rutte in Brussels.
"Ice in the stomach"
Sweden's Defense Minister Pål Jonson (The Moderate Party) is also of the opinion that Europe will have to be involved in the negotiations.
It is completely natural that we are also engaged in this conversation. We are naturally affected by the outcome, says Jonson after the meeting.
He too calls for a certain downplaying of the drama.
Let's have some ice in our stomachs now. Our line remains firm, says Jonson in Brussels.
