US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth has defended President Donald Trump’s decision to initiate peace talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, insisting that the move is “certainly not a betrayal” of Ukraine.
Speaking ahead of a NATO defence ministers’ meeting on Thursday, Hegseth emphasized that Washington remains committed to global peace efforts. “There is no betrayal there. There is a recognition that the whole world and the United States is invested and interested in peace,” he said.
Trump’s announcement on Wednesday, following his first publicly disclosed phone call with Putin since returning to office, took Ukraine and its European allies by surprise.
Hegseth outlined key expectations for ending the war, stating that it was unrealistic for Ukraine to reclaim all its territory or gain NATO membership. He also stressed that Europe should now bear the “overwhelming share” of aid to Ukraine, while the US would not commit troops as part of any security guarantee.
However, European leaders pushed back against Washington’s stance. Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius criticized what he described as premature concessions to Russia before negotiations had even begun. “In my view, it would have been better to discuss possible NATO membership for Ukraine or potential territorial losses at the negotiating table,” he said.
Foreign ministers from Germany, France, Poland, and Britain released a joint statement affirming that “Ukraine and Europe must be part of any negotiations.” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also stressed that Kyiv must be “closely involved” in the process.
Britain’s Defence Secretary John Healey reinforced this position, stating, “There can be no negotiation about Ukraine without Ukraine, and Ukraine’s voice must be at the heart of any talks.”
European leaders fear that Trump’s approach could lead to a peace deal that strengthens Putin while leaving Ukraine vulnerable. Estonia’s Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur emphasized that Europe must be included in discussions, given its significant role in Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction.
“Europe is investing in Ukrainian defence, and Europe is rebuilding Ukraine with European Union money and bilateral aid—so we have to be there,” Pevkur said.
