The United States Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegesh, told NATO on Wednesday that while the United States “remains committed to the military alliance, is prioritizing its own security and avoiding conflicts with China.
Hegseth told NATO allies in Brussels that Europe would need to assume more responsibility in “safeguarding European security.”
“The United States is still committed to the NATO alliance and the Defense Association with Europe. Complete part, ”said Hegseth.
“But the United States will no longer tolerate an unbalanced relationship that foster dependence. Rather, our relationship will prioritize Europe's empowerment to be responsible for your own security. “
That security includes Ukraine.
Many allies have been waiting for clarity about how much military and financial support Washington will continue to provide the Ukrainian government under the administration of President Donald Trump.
Instead, they were told NATO officials and members who would have to assume more responsibility.
Hegseth said Europe would need to provide the “overwhelming part of future lethal and non -lethal aid to Ukraine.”
The secretary also said that NATO membership for Ukraine was unrealistic and that the probability that kyiv recovered its borders prior to 2014, including Crimea, was also unlikely.
“We want, like you, a sovereign and procrat Ukraine. But we must begin by recognizing that returning to the borders prior to 2014 of Ukraine is an unrealistic objective, “he said, telling him an” illusory objective. “
“A lasting peace for Ukraine must include robust security guarantees to ensure that war does not begin again. This should not be Minsk (agreements) 3.0. That said, the United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic result of a negotiated agreement. “
His comments arrived shortly before Trump announced on his true social platform that he had a “long and productive” phone call with Russian president Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.
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“We want to stop the millions of deaths that take place in the war with Russia/Ukraine. President Putin even used my very strong campaign motto of “common sense.” We both believe very strongly in it. We agreed to work together, very closely, even visit the nations of others, “Trump wrote.
“We have also agreed that our respective teams begin the negotiations immediately, and we will begin by calling President Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, to inform him about the conversation, something that I will do at this time.”
Russia attached Crimea in March 2014 and then supported the pro-ruse separatists in an armed insurgency against kyiv's forces in the eastern region of Donbas of Ukraine.
Moscow currently controls 20 percent of the territory of Ukraine, mainly in the east and south.
As part of the security for Ukraine, Hegseth said that if NATO troops unfold as maintenance in peace in Ukraine at any time, it must be done as part of a mission that is not from NATO, so it is not covered by article five.
Article five is a fundamental principle of NATO, often called “collective defense.”
According to the article, an attack against an NATO member constitutes an attack against all and will cause a joint response from the Military Alliance.
Article five has been activated only once, when European and Canada allies used the collective security guarantee to help the United States following the Al-Qaeda attacks on September 11, 2001.
The United States also used the meeting in Brussels to remind those who attend Trump's renewed calls to members who contribute more expenses to the defense.
All alliance members are expected to comply with a spending reference point at least two percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in defense.
In recent months, however, Trump has said that more must be spent.
“Two percent is not enough. President Trump has asked for five percent and I agree, ”said Hegseth.
“Increasing your commitment to your own security is an initial payment for the future. An initial payment, as you said, Mr. Secretary (Mark Rutte), of peace through force. “
Currently, the United States does not meet that five percent rate expected by Trump.
The European allies have risen their military budgets since Putin ordered their troops to Ukraine, and it is estimated that 23 of them reached or exceeded last year's goal of spending two percent of the gross domestic product, but one third still remains Short, including Canada.
Some allies of the United States are concerned that a hurried agreement can be insured in terms that are not favorable for Ukraine.
Before Hegseth spoke, NATO general secretary Mark Rutte told Associated Press that Putin will only negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine if his sponsors continue to provide enough weapons and ammunition.
–With Reuters and Associated Press files
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