Push for peace and talks with Putin are not betrayal of Ukraine, Hegseth
Photo: Pete Hegseth, US Defense Secretary (Getty Images)
Russian aggression against Ukraine has become a "reset for NATO." And a push for peace is not a "betrayal" of Ukraine, says US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during a press briefing before a meeting of NATO defense ministers.
According to him, Russia's aggression has been a "factory reset" for NATO and a moment of "realization that this alliance needs to be robust, strong, and real."
"That is why President Trump has called for increased defense spending across the board for NATO, for European countries to recognize this is an urgent, real threat to the continent and this aggression needs to be a wake-up call," he said.
Hegseth believes that countering Russian aggression is an "important European responsibility." At the same time, the Pentagon chief praised Trump as the "best negotiator on the planet" for bringing both sides to the negotiating table in search of peace.
Journalists asked Hegseth whether the recent actions and statements by the US constituted a betrayal of Ukraine.
"That's your language, not mine. Certainly, it's not a betrayal. There is no betrayal; there is a recognition that the whole world and the US are invested in peace, in a negotiated peace," he replied.
Contacts between Russia and the US
Earlier, it became known that Steve Witkoff, the US President's Special Envoy for the Middle East, flew to Russia on February 11. From Russia, he took back an American prisoner held there. According to media reports, Witkoff likely met with dictator Putin.
Yesterday, it was reported that US President Donald Trump had a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Among other topics, they discussed the war in Ukraine. Trump later spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
