Hegseth Rejects US Troops and NATO Membership for Ukraine

NATO Membership Not Realistic for Ukraine, Hegseth Says

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By Courtney McBride and Andrea Palasciano

February 12, 2025 at 8:52 AM EST

Updated on

February 12, 2025 at 11:59 AM EST

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth drew firm limits on US support for Ukraine in a speech to NATO allies on Wednesday, spurning its aspirations for membership in the alliance and rejecting proposals that American troops be deployed to help guarantee a ceasefire in its war with Russia.

The comments amounted to a major reorientation of US policy as President Donald Trump looks for ways to bring the war in Ukraine to an end. Hegseth made clear that Trump will demand more concessions from Ukraine than his predecessor Joe Biden had laid out.