SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Hegseth: Unrealistic to Expect Ukraine's Old Borders

No Crimea, no NATO, and no US soldiers on site. USA's new defense minister Pete Hegseth came to Brussels with tough messages to Ukraine. But he promises that an end to the war is "highest priority".

» Published: February 12 2025

Hegseth: Unrealistic to Expect Ukraine's Old Borders
Photo: Omar Havana/AP/TT

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.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Netanyahu and Supreme Court Clash Over Shin Bet Chief's Dismissal

Netanyahu and Supreme Court Clash Over Shin Bet Chief's Dismissal

USA Unveils F-47 Fighter Jet to Boost Air Superiority

USA Unveils F-47 Fighter Jet to Boost Air Superiority

Ukraine Seeks Ceasefire Progress in Saudi Talks with US and Russia

Ukraine Seeks Ceasefire Progress in Saudi Talks with US and Russia

Russian Drone Strike Sparks Fires and Injuries in Odessa

Russian Drone Strike Sparks Fires and Injuries in Odessa

Germany Approves €3.3 Billion Military Aid Package to Ukraine

Germany Approves €3.3 Billion Military Aid Package to Ukraine

Over 100,000 Flee Eastern Congo Amid Escalating Violence

Over 100,000 Flee Eastern Congo Amid Escalating Violence

High Descent Speed Cited in Toronto Plane Crash Report

High Descent Speed Cited in Toronto Plane Crash Report

Germany Approves 500 Billion Euro Loan Package for Defense and Infrastructure

Germany Approves 500 Billion Euro Loan Package for Defense and Infrastructure

Record Deaths on Migration Routes in 2024, Reports UN Agency

Record Deaths on Migration Routes in 2024, Reports UN Agency

Fire Erupts at Russian Gas Facility Amid Blame Game with Ukraine

Fire Erupts at Russian Gas Facility Amid Blame Game with Ukraine

Russian Security Council Chair Shoygu Meets Kim Jong-Un in North Korea

Russian Security Council Chair Shoygu Meets Kim Jong-Un in North Korea

Sudan's Military Claims Control of Presidential Palace Amid Ongoing Clashes

Sudan's Military Claims Control of Presidential Palace Amid Ongoing Clashes

Russia's Sergey Shoygu Meets Kim Jong-Un in North Korea

Russia's Sergey Shoygu Meets Kim Jong-Un in North Korea

Argentina's CGT Union Calls 24-Hour Strike for April 10

Argentina's CGT Union Calls 24-Hour Strike for April 10

Israeli Court Temporarily Blocks Dismissal of Security Chief

Israeli Court Temporarily Blocks Dismissal of Security Chief

US to Finalize Mineral Agreement with Ukraine Soon, Says Trump

US to Finalize Mineral Agreement with Ukraine Soon, Says Trump

Kristersson Criticizes Hungary's Stance on Ukraine at EU Summit

Kristersson Criticizes Hungary's Stance on Ukraine at EU Summit

Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Southern and Eastern Lebanon

Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Southern and Eastern Lebanon

Haiti's Media Under Siege as Gangs Target Journalists

Haiti's Media Under Siege as Gangs Target Journalists

Israel Intensifies Ground Operations Across Southern Gaza

Israel Intensifies Ground Operations Across Southern Gaza

Norwegian Police in Finnmark Offered Bonuses to Boost Retention

Norwegian Police in Finnmark Offered Bonuses to Boost Retention

Trump Backs Israel's Recent Actions in Gaza, Says White House

Trump Backs Israel's Recent Actions in Gaza, Says White House

Sudan's Army Closes In on Presidential Palace Amid Intensifying Conflict

Sudan's Army Closes In on Presidential Palace Amid Intensifying Conflict

French Citizen Freed After 880 Days in Iranian Detention

French Citizen Freed After 880 Days in Iranian Detention

Zelensky Confirms US Talks on Ceasefire Set for Monday in Saudi Arabia

Zelensky Confirms US Talks on Ceasefire Set for Monday in Saudi Arabia

Teens Among Victims in North Macedonia Nightclub Fire

Teens Among Victims in North Macedonia Nightclub Fire

Kristersson Criticizes Hungary's Ban on Pride Events at EU Summit

Kristersson Criticizes Hungary's Ban on Pride Events at EU Summit

UK Report: Up to 250,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in Ukraine Conflict

UK Report: Up to 250,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in Ukraine Conflict

Canada Set for April 28 Elections, Sources Reveal

Canada Set for April 28 Elections, Sources Reveal

USA and Russia to Resume Talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday

USA and Russia to Resume Talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday

Trump Moves to Dissolve Education Department, Cites Sweden as Model

Trump Moves to Dissolve Education Department, Cites Sweden as Model

Zelensky Confirms Upcoming US Talks Amid European Support Tour

Zelensky Confirms Upcoming US Talks Amid European Support Tour

Sweden Ready to Join Ukraine Peacekeeping Talks, Says PM Kristersson

Sweden Ready to Join Ukraine Peacekeeping Talks, Says PM Kristersson

Istanbul Protests Escalate as Police Use Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets

Istanbul Protests Escalate as Police Use Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets

China Executes Four Canadians for Drug Offenses, Canada Condemns

China Executes Four Canadians for Drug Offenses, Canada Condemns

EU's Defense Funding: Navigating Complex Paths to Billions by 2030

EU's Defense Funding: Navigating Complex Paths to Billions by 2030

Meta AI Debuts in Europe, Navigating Unique Regulatory Landscape

Meta AI Debuts in Europe, Navigating Unique Regulatory Landscape

Israeli Forces Down Yemen-Launched Drone Targeting Ben Gurion Airport

Israeli Forces Down Yemen-Launched Drone Targeting Ben Gurion Airport

Greenpeace Faces $660 Million Penalty Over Dakota Pipeline Protests

Greenpeace Faces $660 Million Penalty Over Dakota Pipeline Protests

Israel Claims Killing of Hamas Intelligence Chief in Gaza Strikes

Israel Claims Killing of Hamas Intelligence Chief in Gaza Strikes