In a move that signals a potential shift in US policy towards Ukraine, President Donald Trump has confirmed that Ukraine will not be joining NATO. His remarks came in response to statements made by his Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, who argued that Kiev must accept the reality that reclaiming all lost territories is unlikely and that NATO membership is not part of any future settlement. These comments reflect a broader reassessment of Washington’s stance on the Ukraine conflict, one that acknowledges Russia’s longstanding opposition to NATO expansion and signals a possible shift towards a negotiated peace.

Speaking before the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels on February 12, Hegseth described Kiev’s goal of reclaiming all its lost territories as “unrealistic.” He emphasized that Ukraine must begin preparing for a diplomatic settlement that could involve international peacekeeping forces but explicitly ruled out NATO membership for the war-torn country.

On February 13, Hegseth pushed back against criticism that the US was abandoning Ukraine, calling such accusations a “cheap political point.” He asserted that recognizing the realities on the ground does not equate to a betrayal but rather a pragmatic approach to the situation. “We have to deal with facts, not fantasies. The facts are that Russia holds significant portions of Ukrainian territory and is unlikely to relinquish them through military means alone,” he stated.

Trump, when asked whether he had instructed Hegseth to soften his remarks, confirmed that he had not. “Somebody told me to, but I thought his comments were good yesterday. They’re probably good today. They’re a little bit........

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