U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has set a clear “red line” on American involvement in Ukraine, stating that the U.S. will not deploy troops as part of any security guarantee for Kyiv.
“Let me be clear: The U.S. will not send troops to Ukraine as part of any security arrangement,” Hegseth declared at a NATO defense ministers' meeting in Brussels on February 12. He emphasized that any peace process must acknowledge the reality that restoring Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is unrealistic, even as the U.S. supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and prosperity.
Hegseth also ruled out Ukraine’s NATO membership as a realistic outcome in any future negotiations.
Trump Administration’s Stance on Ukraine
This marks the first major policy statement from the Trump administration regarding how it plans to resolve the war in Ukraine. European allies have been waiting for clarity from Washington, especially after Trump called on NATO members to double defense spending and promised to end the Ukraine war swiftly.
The U.S. is sending a high-level delegation to Europe this week, with Vice President J.D. Vance scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference on February 14.
While Trump pushes for a swift end to hostilities, Zelensky continues to demand solid U.S. security guarantees. Kyiv worries that any peace deal without firm commitments—such as NATO membership or the deployment of Western peacekeepers—could allow Russia time to regroup for future attacks.
NATO and European Defense Spending
Hegseth also called on European allies to take on more responsibility for their own defense, stating:
“Defending European security must be a top priority for NATO’s European members. Europe must take on a greater share of both lethal and non-lethal aid to Ukraine in the future.”
The Trump administration remains committed to NATO, but warns that the U.S. will not tolerate an unbalanced transatlantic relationship.
Trump has urged NATO members to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, repeatedly criticizing European nations for spending too little on their militaries.
Currently, European nations contribute less than one-third of NATO’s total defense budget, accounting for $442 billion of the alliance’s $1.44 trillion total spending.
A report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) suggests that if European nations raised their defense budgets to 3% of GDP, NATO could gain an additional $250 billion—and if they reached Trump’s target of 5%, that figure could soar to $750 billion.
However, IISS analysts argue that these targets are “unrealistic” in the near term, as some European nations are already struggling to meet existing commitments and have resorted to off-budget measures to increase defense spending.
“Even maintaining the current rate of military spending growth could be a major challenge for Europe,” the IISS report concluded.
(Sources: AFP, AP)
Hello Shuttle will strive to bring the latest updates. At the end of the day.
Are you looking for reliable airport and cruise port transfer services in Los Angeles?
We offer professional, safe, and punctual transportation from
Los Angeles Airport - LAX
Long Beach Airport - LGB
John Wayne Airport - SNA
San Pedro cruise port
Long Beach cruise port
Disneyland
and other destinations.
Let us make your journey stress-free and comfortable with our dedicated drivers and high-quality vehicles. Book now for the perfect travel experience at www.helloshuttle.com or call 944-800-5678!
