No concessions will be demanded from Russia to start negotiations, while aid to Ukraine may be tied to its participation

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has suggested that future American military aid to Ukraine could be contingent on its willingness to engage in peace negotiations with Russia.

CNN reports this.

According to the news outlet, Hegseth indicated that Ukraine’s defense assistance might depend on its readiness for talks with Moscow. He stated that President Donald Trump would determine “the most effective incentives or sanctions on both sides to achieve a lasting peace.”

“[Military] security assistance – we continue to provide what has already been allocated. I think it would be fair to say that things like future funding – in greater or lesser amounts – could also become part of the negotiations,” Hegseth said at a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

“Whatever the president determines as the most effective incentive or sanction on both sides to achieve a sustainable peace – while, of course, understanding Vladimir Putin’s long-standing motives regarding Ukraine,” he added.

Hegseth also stated that he would not participate in direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, implying a less active role in Ukraine’s security matters compared to his predecessor, former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

He reiterated his previous statement that Ukraine’s borders would not be restored to their pre-2014 status.

“And this is not a concession to Putin – it is an acceptance of reality,” the Pentagon chief said.

According to Hegseth, neither Vladimir Putin nor Volodymyr Zelensky will achieve all of their initial objectives as a result of negotiations.

He also emphasized that his statement about the unlikelihood of Ukraine joining NATO reflects Donald Trump’s position.

Today, Hegseth further clarified that the U.S. president’s push for peace should not be seen as a betrayal of Ukraine.

“There is no betrayal; there is a recognition that the entire world and the U.S. are interested in peace – peace achieved through negotiations,” he stated.