Trump's team allows Ukraine's NATO membership and return of 2014 borders
Trump's team changes rhetoric on Ukraine's NATO membership (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The US does not rule out the potential membership of Ukraine in NATO or the return to pre-2014 borders. All of these issues will be discussed during negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and European countries, states Deputy Ambassador of President Donald Trump to Ukraine, John Coale.
"Right now, that is still on the table," he said in response to a question from the agency about whether the US has ruled out the possibility of Ukraine's NATO membership.
Cole noted that the issue of possibly restoring Ukraine's borders to those that existed before 2014 also remains on the agenda.
According to him, official negotiations have not yet started, and the US is still discussing with European leaders and Ukraine how best to end the conflict.
"Where do the Ukrainians and Europeans fit into all of this? At this point we don't know. You have to have the Europeans involved. The Europeans want this war stopped. They are more than willing to participate (in supporting Kyiv militarily). There are doubts ... as to whether they are going to give 100 percent. But everything I am hearing indicates they are willing to really get in there," Coale said.
Putin is ready for negotiations
Additionally, Trump's deputy ambassador stated that Putin appears ready to enter negotiations with Ukraine without preconditions.
"There's been a lot of talk about the trip Steve Witkoff took to Moscow and how he met with Putin. Putin seems to be willing to play ball, but we're not sure what that means. I think he's ready to talk," he said.
When asked if the US had conceded too much to Putin before negotiations had even begun, Cole responded: "Some people talked out of turn, but I don't think we're conceding anything."
"You don't know with Putin and the Russians. Are they trying to play us? Or are they sincere? And then you get to a table and you find out fast," the diplomat explained.
These statements contradict messages recently delivered by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth regarding negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
Resonant statements from Trump's team regarding the war in Ukraine
On Wednesday, February 12, US President Donald Trump held telephone conversations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Following the discussions, the White House leader announced a good opportunity to begin negotiations for ending the war in Ukraine.
On the same day, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth acknowledged during a Ramstein Contact Group meeting that a return of Ukraine to the borders that existed before 2014 was impossible. He also added that the US does not view NATO membership for Ukraine as part of a plan to end the war.
Meanwhile, US Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, stated that Ukraine would have to come to some agreement regarding the possible loss of territory, but not recognize it.
These comments raised concerns in Europe, as they suggested that the US may have made concessions to Putin even before the negotiations had started.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, called Hegseth's comments appeasement that never works.
Later, Trump stated that Ukraine would have a seat at the negotiation table with Russia. Hegseth even acknowledged the possibility of providing Ukraine with nuclear weapons.
