US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated that Kyiv’s desire to recover Ukraine’s pre-war borders is “unrealistic”. Speaking at a meeting of more than 40 countries allied to Ukraine, Hegseth emphasized that Washington wants a “sovereign and prosperous” Ukraine but considers a return to pre-2014 borders unlikely. He also mentioned that NATO membership for Ukraine is not a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement between Kyiv and Moscow.
Hegseth warned that chasing this “illusionary goal” would only prolong the war and cause more suffering. This statement comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not preparing for peace and continues to destroy cities and kill civilians despite talk of a ceasefire.
The US remains committed to supporting Ukraine, but Hegseth’s remarks highlight the challenges and complexities of achieving a lasting peace in the region.
