The Pentagon is under new leadership. The Trump admin officials are turning the world upside down.
Especially after the new Secretary of Defense made this eyebrow-raising announcement.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Draws Line In The Sand In U.S. Involvement In Ukraine-Russia War
On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made significant remarks about the war in Ukraine, signaling a shift in the United States’ foreign policy priorities. The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia “must end,” Hegseth declared, while also making clear that the U.S. would no longer prioritize European and Ukrainian security in the same way it had under previous administrations. Instead, the Trump administration, under Hegseth’s leadership, is refocusing on securing U.S. borders and confronting the growing threat posed by China.
In his address before a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Hegseth voiced his skepticism about Ukraine’s future membership in NATO, labeling the idea as “unrealistic.” He also emphasized that European troops should be the primary force involved in securing Ukraine after the war — an operation that, according to Hegseth, would not involve U.S. troops.
“The United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement,” Hegseth stated. He further emphasized that any security guarantees offered to Ukraine must come with substantial support from European and non-European forces: “To be clear, as part of any security guarantee, there will not be US troops deployed to Ukraine.”
Hegseth’s comments extend beyond NATO and troop deployments. He also outlined that a return to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders, which were established before Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its incursion into eastern Ukraine, is “an unrealistic objective.” While these statements may have raised some eyebrows, it is important to note that many NATO allies share this view, agreeing that the idea of reclaiming Crimea from Russia is not feasible. Even Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose country has long called for the return of Crimea, has refrained from making this a prerequisite for peace talks. However, some NATO officials expressed greater concern over the possibility of Hegseth undermining efforts to restore Ukraine’s pre-2022 borders.
Zelensky himself has been vocal about his concerns with Hegseth’s statements on security guarantees. Earlier this week, the Ukrainian president asserted that Europe alone cannot provide Ukraine with meaningful security without the leadership of the United States. He has also repeatedly stated that joining NATO is the only way Ukraine can effectively deter future Russian aggression.
Hegseth’s remarks were followed by a significant development on the diplomatic front: U.S. President Donald Trump revealed he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier that morning. Trump confirmed that the two leaders had agreed to begin negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, marking a potential shift in U.S. diplomatic strategy. “We will begin by calling President Zelensky, of Ukraine, to inform him of the conversation,” Trump added. The Kremlin also extended an invitation for Trump to visit Moscow, which would be the first such visit by a U.S. president since 2013.
Trump, in a subsequent Oval Office statement, reiterated Hegseth’s skepticism about Ukraine’s NATO membership, stating, “I don’t think it’s practical to have it. Personally, I know that our new secretary of defense is excellent. Pete made a statement today saying that he thinks it’s unlikely or impractical. I think probably that’s true.” Simply put, the new Trump admin favors prioritizing U.S. interests while reducing its involvement in global conflicts.
In his speech, Hegseth also made clear that the U.S. would not be announcing any new aid to Ukraine. He emphasized the stark strategic realities facing the U.S., stating, “We are also here today to directly and unambiguously express that stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe.” This pivot is part of the new shift in U.S. foreign policy, with the Trump administration turning its attention inward, particularly toward securing U.S. borders and countering the growing influence of China.
While Hegseth’s comments were not entirely surprising to U.S. allies, the shift in priorities has been felt throughout NATO and the European Union. In anticipation of the U.S. taking a step back from its leading role in supporting Ukraine, NATO has already begun establishing its own mechanisms for coordinating military assistance. UK Defense Secretary John Healey responded to Hegseth’s remarks, affirming that Europe would continue to step up to support Ukraine: “We hear your concerns on stepping up for Ukraine, and we hear your concerns on stepping up for European security. We are and we will.”
Hegseth also echoed Trump’s call for NATO allies to significantly increase their defense spending. He argued that 2% of GDP, which is currently the benchmark for NATO member countries, is “not enough.” A senior NATO official acknowledged that this request for higher defense spending was not a new demand, agreeing that 2% is insufficient in addressing current security challenges.
As Hegseth concluded his remarks, he reassured European allies that the U.S. remained committed to NATO, stating, “The United States will no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship which encourages dependency.” The sentiment expressed by European defense officials was one of relief that the U.S. was not planning to fully withdraw from NATO, leaving room for negotiations on the specifics of the U.S.’s future support for Europe and Ukraine.
The Trump administration’s shift in foreign policy represents a new chapter in the U.S.’s relationship with its European allies and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While NATO and the EU brace for changes in the dynamics of U.S. support, there remains a commitment to the alliance, even as priorities evolve. Truly, though, the Trump administration has put pressure on European allies to be more involved in defending the eastern democracies, and that pressure has clearly provided fruit.
The Conservative Column will bring you any major news from the Trump administration on foreign policy.
