Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered opening remarks at the 26th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels on Wednesday, outlining the Trump administration’s approach to ending the war in Ukraine and emphasizing the need for European allies to take greater responsibility for their own security.
Speaking to a gathering of defense leaders from NATO and partner nations, Hegseth stressed that the United States remains committed to achieving a durable peace in Ukraine but warned that unrealistic objectives and overreliance on U.S. support could prolong the conflict.
“We are at a critical moment in Europe,” Hegseth said. “As the war approaches its third anniversary, our message is clear: the bloodshed must stop, and this war must end.”
READ: Secretary Of State Marco Rubio Says Release Of Marc Fogel From Russia Achieved Without Concessions
Hegseth reiterated President Donald Trump’s commitment to ending the war through diplomacy, emphasizing the need to bring both Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table. However, he cautioned against pursuing what he called “illusionary goals,” such as restoring Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders, which he described as unrealistic.
“Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering,” Hegseth said. “A durable peace for Ukraine must include robust security guarantees to ensure that the war will not begin again. This must not be Minsk 3.0.”
Hegseth also made clear that the United States does not support NATO membership for Ukraine as part of any negotiated settlement. Instead, he proposed that security guarantees for Ukraine be backed by capable European and non-European troops deployed as part of a non-NATO mission.
READ: Trump Administration Unveils Sweeping “DOGE” Order To Streamline Federal Workforce
“There will not be U.S. troops deployed to Ukraine,” Hegseth stated. “Any security guarantee must be backed by international oversight and a commitment to peacekeeping that does not rely on NATO’s Article 5.”
To further support diplomatic efforts, Hegseth highlighted the Trump administration’s focus on reducing global energy prices, which he said would undercut Russia’s ability to fund its war machine.
“President Trump is unleashing American energy production and encouraging other nations to do the same,” Hegseth said. “Lower energy prices, coupled with more effective enforcement of energy sanctions, will help bring Russia to the table.”
Hegseth’s remarks underscored a broader shift in U.S. defense priorities, with a renewed focus on addressing threats to the American homeland and countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The United States faces consequential threats to our homeland,” Hegseth said. “We must and we are focusing on the security of our own borders. We also face a peer competitor in Communist China, with the capability and intent to threaten our homeland and core national interests.”
READ: Florida Senator Rick Scott Introduces Bill To Combat Chinese Tariff Evasion
Hegseth called on European allies to take greater responsibility for their own security, urging them to increase defense spending and contribute more to Ukraine’s immediate and long-term defense needs.
“Two percent is not enough,” Hegseth said, referring to NATO’s defense spending target. “President Trump has called for five percent, and I agree. Increasing your commitment to your own security is a down payment for the future—a down payment for peace through strength.”
He praised countries like Poland, which is already spending 5% of its GDP on defense, and Sweden, which recently announced its largest-ever assistance package to Ukraine, totaling $1.2 billion in ammunition and other critical supplies.
Hegseth challenged European members of the contact group to step up their contributions to Ukraine’s defense and to take ownership of conventional security on the continent.
READ: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Border Czar Tom Homan: Border Security Is National Security
“Our transatlantic alliance has endured for decades, and we fully expect that it will continue,” Hegseth said. “But this won’t just happen. It will require our European allies to step into the arena and take ownership of their own security.”
He emphasized that the United States remains committed to NATO and its defense partnership with Europe but warned against an imbalanced relationship that encourages dependency.
“Honesty will be our policy going forward, but only in the spirit of solidarity,” Hegseth said. “President Trump looks forward to working together to achieve peace through strength.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
