Rep. Don Bacon (Neb.), a reasonable Republican, cautioned towards “rewarding the invader” after Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth mentioned returning to its pre-2014 border was an “unrealistic objective” for Ukraine.
“We should have moral clarity who started this war, who is bombing cities indiscriminately and who our real friend here is,” Bacon mentioned Wednesday on the social platform X, responding to a report about Hegseth’s remarks.
“There are consequences of rewarding the invader even if its leader foolishly led over 700,000 of its citizens to slaughter,” Bacon continued, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who directed an unprovoked invasion of its neighboring nation almost three years in the past.
Talking forward of a gathering of the U.S.-led Ukraine Protection Contact Group in Brussels on Wednesday, Hegseth mentioned it’s “unrealistic” to attempt to return Ukraine’s borders to what they have been earlier than 2014 — when Russia annexed Crimea — indicating america will push a negotiation between Kyiv and Moscow to finish the conflict wherein Ukraine cedes territory.
“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,” Hegseth mentioned Wednesday. “Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering.”
Restoring Crimea as Ukrainian territory has not been a requirement from Kyiv’s officers for peace talks, with Ukrainians as an alternative fearful any Trump-involved negotiations would pressure them to surrender land taken by Moscow because the conflict started in February 2022.
Hegseth additionally addressed the potential for Ukraine becoming a member of NATO after the conflict, saying, “The United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement.”
Hegseth’s feedback raised concern amongst some critics, who mentioned the statements may cut back Ukraine’s leverage because the Trump administration seeks to barter an finish to the conflict. President Trump dismissed a query about whether or not that was the case, in chatting with reporters Wednesday.
Trump talked to each Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, in conversations wherein he emphasised the necessity for an finish to the almost three-year conflict in Jap Europe.
“No one wants peace more than Ukraine,” Zelensky wrote after his name with Trump. “Together with the U.S., we are charting our next steps to stop Russian aggression and ensure a lasting, reliable peace. As President Trump said, let’s get it done.”
Putin and Trump are anticipated to fulfill in Saudi Arabia sooner or later, however a timeline has not been launched.
Vice President Vance is anticipated to meet with Zelensky this week throughout a visit to Europe for the Munich Safety Convention. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was additionally dispatched to Ukraine to fulfill with Zelensky because the U.S. pursues a deal for extra entry to Ukraine’s essential minerals.
