***Hegseth rules out NATO membership for Ukraine and says Europe must be responsible for country’s security***

 Hegseth rules out NATO membership for Ukraine and says Europe must be responsible for country’s security

In a significant policy shift, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the United States no longer supports NATO membership for Ukraine and emphasized that European nations must assume primary responsibility for Ukraine's security. Speaking at NATO headquarters in Brussels on February 12, 2025, Hegseth stated that aiming to restore Ukraine's pre-2014 borders is "unrealistic" and that pursuing this goal would "only prolong the war and cause more suffering."

 

Key Points from Hegseth's Address:

• NATO Membership for Ukraine: Hegseth declared that NATO membership for Ukraine is not a feasible outcome of any negotiated settlement with Russia. He suggested that security guarantees for Ukraine should be backed by capable European and non-European troops, deployed as part of a non-NATO mission without the protections of NATO's Article 5 mutual defense clause.

 

• European Responsibility: The Defense Secretary emphasized that European allies must lead in providing both lethal and non-lethal aid to Ukraine. He called for increased defense spending among NATO members, urging them to raise their defense budgets to 5% of GDP to better defend the continent.

 

• U.S. Strategic Priorities: Hegseth highlighted a strategic pivot in U.S. defense policy, stating that the United States is now prioritizing threats to its homeland and focusing on deterring China. He noted that these strategic realities prevent the U.S. from being primarily focused on European security, signaling a reduced American role in European defense matters.

Reactions and Implications:

Hegseth's remarks have significant implications for NATO and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. By ruling out NATO membership for Ukraine and urging European nations to take the lead in its defense, the U.S. is signaling a shift towards empowering Europe to assume greater responsibility for its security. This move aligns with President Donald Trump's longstanding call for European allies to increase their defense investments and reduce dependency on U.S. military support.

The announcement has been met with concern among some NATO allies, who fear that a hasty peace deal might be clinched on terms not favorable to Ukraine. Additionally, the emphasis on European-led security guarantees without NATO involvement raises questions about the future structure and commitments of the alliance.

As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how European nations will respond to the call for increased defense responsibilities and what impact this policy shift will have on the dynamics of the NATO alliance and the security landscape in Europe.

US Defense Secretary Hegseth's Statements on Ukraine and NATO.