Hegseth's words came during the introduction of Wednesday's meeting in the so-called Ramstein group, for the 50 countries that militarily support Ukraine.
We are in a critical situation. Our message is clear: the bloodshed must stop. The war must end, said Hegseth and explained that US President Donald Trump wants to end the war by getting both Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table.
Then came what many had expected, but few dared to talk openly about.
We want an independent and prosperous Ukraine. But we must start by recognizing that it is unrealistic to return to Ukraine's borders from before 2014, said Hegseth.
No Crimea, no NATO
In plain language, this means that Ukraine should not count on getting back either the Crimean Peninsula or most of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which have been occupied by Russia in stages.
And Hegseth doesn't stop there. According to him, Ukraine should also give up its NATO dreams.
The US does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic result of a negotiated peace, said Hegseth.
Instead, he wants Ukraine to receive sufficient security guarantees, backed by peacekeeping forces in the country from countries in and outside Europe. But it should not be a NATO operation, and no one should participate from the US.
American soldiers will not be sent to Ukraine, said Hegseth.
"Better balance"
The Defense Minister repeated President Trump's wish for NATO countries to increase their target of how much they spend on their defense to five percent of GDP.
But he also promised that the US will not abandon NATO – even if he demands better balance when it comes to defense commitments and how much countries spend on their defense.
The meeting leader, British Defense Minister John Healey, tried to emphasize the positive afterwards.
He confirmed the US's continued commitment to this group and Ukraine's pursuit of a lasting peace, said Healey.
Met Jonson
Hegseth's statement came shortly after Sweden's Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M) had a first private meeting with his new colleague.
A positive first meeting, thinks Jonson.
He was well-prepared. He knew well about the defense investments we have made. He was familiar with our strong defense industrial base and also the size and scope of our Ukraine support, said the Defense Minister to Swedish journalists in Brussels.
Wiktor Nummelin/TT
Facts: Pete Hegseth
TTTT
Pete Hegseth (born 1980) has been the US Defense Minister since January 25 this year. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has Norwegian ancestry on both his father's and mother's side.
Hegseth has a background as an infantry officer in the National Guard and has, among other things, served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He is best known as a commentator and program host on the Fox News TV channel from 2014.
