“The Startling Revelation from US Defense Secretary”
By Andrew Gray, Lili Bayer, Phil Stewart, and Idrees Ali
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed back against criticisms on Thursday regarding Washington’s negotiation tactics with Russia concerning the conflict in Ukraine. He also cautioned Europe against relying too heavily on America for defense, warning against the risk of being taken advantage of.
Hegseth emphasized, “President Trump is firm in not allowing anyone to exploit the United States’ willingness to help by turning us into a ‘sucker’.” Speaking at a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, he stressed that Europe should take the lead in ensuring defense on the European continent.
Making his first international appearance as head of the Pentagon, Hegseth sparked controversy in Europe by stating on Wednesday that reverting to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders was impractical. Additionally, the Trump administration does not view NATO membership for Kyiv as a resolution to the conflict triggered by Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Critics of Hegseth argue that his remarks may have prematurely weakened the U.S.’ negotiating position with Russia, potentially giving Russian President Vladimir Putin an advantage. In response, Hegseth defended his comments as a recognition of the realities on the ground and suggested that the U.S. could make concessions during negotiations, such as adjustments in funding and troop presence in Europe.
During a call with Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy on Wednesday, President Trump initiated talks to end the nearly three-year-long war. However, concerns arose in Kyiv and among European NATO allies over a perceived willingness by the White House to strike a deal without their involvement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asserted, “As a sovereign nation, we cannot accept any agreements made without our participation.” Meanwhile, European officials maintained a strong stance, asserting that any potential agreement must involve them and the Ukrainians in the negotiation process to be feasible.
European foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed skepticism, stating, “A rushed resolution would only lead to a problematic compromise.” Hegseth, in response to concerns about NATO’s integrity and European security, reiterated the importance of collective effort in bolstering Europe’s defense, emphasizing the need to revitalize the alliance for the future.
“NATO stands as a formidable alliance, the most successful in history. However, for its continued strength, our partners must assume greater responsibility for defending Europe. It is imperative that we work together to ensure NATO’s continued success,” concluded Hegseth.
(Reporting by Andrew Gray, Lili Bayer in Brussels, Phil Stewart, and Idrees Ali in Washington; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Howard Goller)
