The Daily Populous Thursday February 13rd, 2025 night edition
Authored by newsx.com and submitted by alpacinohairline

The United States is pulling back from its role as the main security provider for Ukraine, marking a major shift in NATO defense strategy. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made it clear that Europe must now take the lead in securing Ukraine.

The United States is pulling back from its role as the main security provider for Ukraine, marking a major shift in NATO defense strategy.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated on Wednesday that the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia “must end” and that Ukraine’s accession to NATO is not a realistic outcome. Speaking at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, Hegseth made it clear that the United States will no longer prioritize European and Ukrainian security as the Trump administration refocuses on securing its own borders and deterring conflict with China.

European Troops to Take the Lead in Post-War Ukraine

Hegseth emphasized that European nations should take primary responsibility for securing Ukraine in the aftermath of the war, explicitly stating that US troops will not be involved.

“The United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement,” he said. “Any security guarantees offered to Ukraine must be backed by capable European and non-European troops.”

He further clarified, “To be clear, as part of any security guarantee, there will not be US troops deployed to Ukraine.”

NATO Membership, Pre-2014 Borders “Unrealistic” Objectives

Hegseth also tempered expectations regarding Ukraine’s territorial ambitions, stating that a return to its pre-2014 borders—before Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its incursion into eastern Ukraine—is “an unrealistic objective.”

His remarks are likely to raise concerns in Kyiv, particularly for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who recently asserted that European nations alone cannot provide meaningful security guarantees without American leadership.

During his address, Hegseth did not announce any new US aid to Ukraine. Instead, he made it clear that shifting strategic realities prevent the United States from maintaining its previous level of engagement in European security.

“We’re also here today to directly and unambiguously express that stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe,” he said.

Reaction from NATO and European Allies

Hegseth’s statements, while significant, were not entirely unexpected by NATO and European Union officials, who had been preparing for a reduction in US involvement. In response, NATO has already established its own security framework to coordinate military assistance for Ukraine.

UK Defense Secretary John Healey acknowledged these concerns, stating, “We hear your concerns on stepping up for Ukraine, and we hear your concerns on stepping up for European security.”

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte echoed Trump’s call for more balanced defense contributions. “I agree with President Trump that we must equalize security assistance to Ukraine. But to really change the trajectory of the conflict, we need to do even more,” he said.

A Stark Departure from Biden Administration’s Approach

Hegseth’s remarks represented the clearest indication yet of the Trump administration’s intent to step back from its previously dominant role in the Ukraine conflict and reposition it as a European issue. This marks a significant departure from the Biden administration’s approach, which placed strong transatlantic cooperation and support for Ukraine at the core of its foreign policy.

Hegseth also reiterated Trump’s call for NATO allies to increase their defense spending, arguing that the existing 2% of GDP target is insufficient.

“2% is not enough,” he said, endorsing Trump’s demand that allies raise their defense budgets to 5% of GDP.

Commitment to NATO, but with Conditions

Despite signaling a shift in priorities, Hegseth reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to NATO and its partnerships in Europe. However, he emphasized that Washington will no longer tolerate an “imbalanced relationship” that fosters dependency.

“The US remains committed to the NATO alliance and to the defense partnership with Europe. Full stop. But the United States will no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship which encourages dependency,” he stated.

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HikiNEET39 on February 12nd, 2025 at 17:58 UTC »

Does this mean if we go to war with China, we can expect no help from European allies? Alliances go both ways.

Rent_A_Cloud on February 12nd, 2025 at 17:31 UTC »

The US showing all its allies that dependance on them for security is no longer viable.

Absolutely ludicrous. The guy says to sede territory to Russia and no Nato guarantees. This in essence means that Russia can just invade again in 5 years after another buildup.

Besides that, Ukraine is a nation with a plethora of experience in peer to peer warfare now in a modern equipped environment, they would be a huge boon on that alone if they joined Nato. Current 40 year old carreer soldiers/officers in Nato only have experience fighting insurgencies.

But whatever, let everything burn to let trump be able to float how he "saved" Ukraine.

This is just as ridiculous as that dumb*ss who nominated Elon Musk for the Nobel peace prize. One big circlejerk at the cost of everything is what US politics is now

alpacinohairline on February 12nd, 2025 at 17:08 UTC »

In a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that the Ukraine war "must end" and that NATO membership for Ukraine is unacceptable. He stated that the United States would no longer prioritize European security, particularly in the context of Ukraine, and that European nations should lead the post-war security efforts. Hegseth also underscored that U.S. troops would not be deployed to Ukraine, and any security guarantees should come from capable European forces. His remarks suggest a move away from the Biden administration’s approach, signaling that the U.S. will focus more on its own borders and China, reducing its involvement in European defense.