The US has signaled its intention to step back from its long-held role as Europe’s principal security guarantor after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth explained that Washington no longer considers it sustainable to shoulder the bulk of Europe’s defense responsibilities, particularly with regard to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“We want, like you, a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine. But we must start by recognizing that returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective. Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering,” Hegseth said.
Instead, the priority is to pursue a “durable peace” backed by robust but predominantly European security guarantees.
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While stressing that a new arrangement must not replicate the failures of previous ceasefire agreements, such as the Minsk accords, Hegseth made it clear that any peacekeeping troops would deploy under a non-NATO mission. He also stated unequivocally that US forces would not be sent to Ukrainian territory.
This announcement coincides with the Trump administration’s broader approach to reducing the costs and risks associated with overseas military engagements. President Donald Trump, in an effort to lower energy prices that finance what he calls Russia’s “war machine,” is urging both domestic producers, including major oil companies like Exxon Mobil and Chevron, and international partners to expand energy output.
Supply Ukraine “as long as we have to”
A contradictory note emerged in recent statements by Trump himself, suggesting that the US will continue supplying Ukraine with military aid “as long as we have to,” provided there are guarantees regarding how the funds and weapons are used. The president’s position appears to straddle two goals: limiting the direct US military role in Europe while maintaining a measure of support for Kyiv to prevent a complete Russian victory.
“Ukraine has agreed to [US sending aid]. But we want it secured, and the money is going to be secured,” Trump said in a press conference. “Because if we didn’t do that, then Putin would say, he won. We’re the thing that’s holding it back, and frankly we’ll go as long as we have to go, because we’re not going to let the other happen.”
In the UK, MP Mike Martin asks on social media whether this shift will prompt increased defense spending to compensate for the reduced US presence. Critics point to the risk of weakening NATO and ceding strategic advantage to Russia.
The question of NATO membership for Ukraine remains contentious, as Hegseth’s remarks dismissed the likelihood of an alliance invitation as part of any settlement.
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