Russia US minister: Trump has final say in Ukraine negotiations
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth does not want the framework conditions he mentioned for a possible peace deal in the Ukraine war to be understood as final. President Donald Trump has the last word for the US side in the negotiations on an end to the Russian war of aggression, Hegseth said after a meeting with his counterparts from the NATO states in Brussels when asked why the US did not want a NATO peacekeeping force in Ukraine. "These negotiations are being led by President Trump. Everything is on the table."
13.02.2025, 20:36
SDA
The Pentagon chief emphasized that Trump alone would ultimately decide on the conditions of the USA. "Under no circumstances does anything I say here (...) mean that we are restricting the commander-in-chief in his negotiations," he said. "He holds all the cards."
When asked whether he could guarantee that Ukraine would not end up being forced into a deal that the country did not want, he said: "Ultimately, that is not my decision." The president is conducting the negotiations and talking to both sides. "Nobody will get everything they want."
He himself could only talk about what was realistic or likely. And it is merely realism to point out that the Ukrainian borders cannot be restored to their 2014 status. This is not a concession to Russia, but a recognition of reality.
The announcements on Ukraine
The previous day in Brussels, Hegseth had for the first time publicly explained in detail how the Trump administration envisions an end to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. "The United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated solution," he said. A return to Ukraine's borders before 2014 is also unrealistic. In addition, the Europeans are largely solely responsible for supporting Ukraine and securing peace militarily. "No US troops will be sent to Ukraine," emphasized Hegseth and ruled out a NATO mission.
Trump announced shortly afterwards that he had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone - and subsequently also with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi. The US President therefore entered into talks with the Kremlin leader about Ukraine and an end to the war without his European allies. He is also planning a meeting with Putin soon.
