BRUSSELS, Feb 13 (KUNA) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated Thursday that President Donald Trump's discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin about initiating negotiations to end the war in Ukraine "were certainly not a betrayal" of Kyiv.
In a statement to reporters ahead of a NATO defense ministers' meeting, Hegseth explained, "There is no betrayal here. There is a recognition that the entire world, including the United States, is invested and interested in peace - a negotiated peace, as President Trump said, to stop the killing. Therefore, this will require both sides to acknowledge things they do not want to accept." Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized that Ukraine must be involved in peace talks, stressing that any final deal must be "enduring." He further highlighted the necessity of Ukraine's close involvement in discussions concerning its future.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed regret over what he termed "concessions" made by the Trump administration to Russia before peace talks had even begun. French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu stated that NATO "is living through a great moment of truth." Additionally, the U.S. Defense Secretary reiterated on Wednesday that it is unrealistic to expect a return to Ukraine's borders as they were before 2014, and he reaffirmed that Washington is not prepared to send peacekeeping forces to Ukraine as part of any potential agreement. He also called on European nations to assume the largest share of support for Ukraine. (end) arn.sam