The US Defense Secretary signalizes dramatic shift in US military policy away from Europe and warns allies of ‘sharp strategic realities’ | Us news

US troops will not be used to secure peace in Ukraine following any ceasefire agreement with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump’s new defense secretary has declared when he signaled a dramatic shift in American foreign foreign and defense policy away from Europe.

Pete Hegeth also said it is “unrealistic” to believe that Ukraine can return to his borders before 2014, and he excluded NATO membership as a way to guarantee Kyiv’s security.

This will be a huge beat for Volodymyr zelenskyy.

Interventions came at the opening of an allied meeting in Brussels on Wednesday.

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Mr. Hegeth said Washington should focus on the threat from China and secure its own boundaries.

He added: “Stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on Europe’s security.

“When the United States changes attention to these threats, the European allies must lead from the front,” said Mr Hegeth in opening comments at the collection of NATO and the non-nato countries providing military support to Ukraine.

NATO expenses

Mr. Trump – a long -standing critic of the alliance, which he sees as containing freeloaders who benefit from US military strength without investing in their own security – has said all NATO allies should increase defense spending to 5% of GDP.

This is more than twice the current target. The United Kingdom uses only 2.3%.

While still supporting NATO, Mr Hegeth warned that America’s patience was limited.

“Our transatlantic alliance has endured for decades. And we fully expect it to be maintained for generations more. But this will not just happen,” he said.

He continued: “It will require our European allies to enter the arena and take ownership of conventional security on this continent.

“The United States remains obliged to the NATO alliance and to the defense partnership with Europe.

“Our relationship will prioritize strengthening Europe at your own risk of its security.”

Ukraine-Russia War

Mr. Hegeth also had strong words about Russia’s war in Ukraine, which he said “must end”.

When he spoke honestly, he rejected a fundamental Ukrainian goal of recovering all his territory – including Crimea and Donbas cut, seized by Russia in 2014, when Mr. Putin first invaded his neighbor. This goal had previously been supported by Britain and other allies.

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“We want … A superb and prosperous Ukraine. But we have to start by acknowledging that returning to Ukraine’s borders before 2014 is an unrealistic goal,” he said.

“To chase this illusory goal will only extend the war and cause more suffering.”

The US Defense Secretary said a sustained peace should include robust security guarantees to make sure the war does not begin again – but he made it clear that the United States would not be part of this effort on Earth and it could not be a NATO – Operation.

However, it was not immediately clear whether the US military can help provide protection at a distance.

“These security guarantees should not be delivered through NATO membership, but should instead be backed by skilled European and non-European troops,” the US Defense Secretary said.

“If these troops are deployed at any time as peacekeepers to Ukraine, they must be inserted as part of a non-nato mission and not covered under Article 5. There must also be robust international supervision of the contact line.”

Article 5 of NATO says an armed attack on a member is considered an attack on everyone.

Read more: What is Article 5?

Mr. Hegeth continued, “To be clear, as part of any security guarantee, there will be no American troops ingrained to Ukraine.”

His words will be a significant setback for kyiv.

President Zelenskyy told Sky News last week that any peacekeeping force that Did not include an American element would be a “big mistake”who signaled that he did not believe that European military alone could deter Moscow.

The withdrawal of the United States from its leadership role in Ukraine was clear in the choreography of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting – an adaptation of allies assembled by Washington under Joe Biden and his defense secretary sound Austin, after Russia launched its full scale invasion almost for accurate Three years ago.

The future of European security

The regular meetings have so far always been chairman of the United States.

However, Wednesday’s meeting was led by John Healey, the British defense secretary.

Mr. Hegeth made it clear that European allies should step up and take on much more of the efforts to provide Ukraine weapons and non-military support.

“Protection of European security is an imperative for European members of NATO. As part of this, Europe must provide the overwhelming share of future fatal and nonlethal help to Ukraine,” he said.

This means donating more ammunition, expanding Europe’s defense industrial base, and gathering the public to be willing to respond to the threat facing the continent.

“Part of this talks honestly with your people about how this threat can only be met by spending more on defense and investing strategically,” said Mr Hegeth.

“To increase your commitment to your own security is a payout for the future.”

Earlier, NATO General Mark Rutte said he agreed with US President Donald Trump about the need for Washington and European allies to share the burden of military assistance for Ukraine more equal.