UPDATE - Trump intends to end Russia-Ukraine war through diplomacy: Defense secretary

UPDATES WITH REMARKS FROM UK DEFENSE SECRETARY, ADDS DETAILS

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - President Donald Trump aims to end the Russia-Ukraine war through diplomatic means, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday, emphasizing that peace is a priority for Washington.

"President Trump has been clear with the American people and with many of your leaders that stopping the fighting and reaching an enduring peace is a top priority. He intends to end this war by diplomacy and bringing both Russia and Ukraine to the table," Hegseth said at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting in Brussels.

“Our message is clear, the bloodshed must stop and this war must end,” he added.

Hagseth also made it clear that returning to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders is an “unrealistic objective,” urging a more practical approach to resolving the conflict that continues for almost three years. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

He stressed that the US does not see NATO membership for Ukraine as part of the solution to the war. "The United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement," he added. "Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering."

He highlighted the importance of security guarantees for Ukraine. "Instead, any security guarantee must be backed by capable European and non-European troops. If these troops are deployed as peacekeepers to Ukraine at any point, they should be deployed as part of a non-NATO mission," the US official said.

He made it clear that the US will not send troops to Ukraine. “There will not be US troops deployed to Ukraine to further enable effective diplomacy and drive down energy prices that fund the Russian war machine,” he said.

The defense secretary also urged European allies to take greater responsibility for their own defense.

Calling for increased defense spending, he said the earlier target of 2% of the annual GDP is not enough and President Trump has called for 5% and "I agree."

Meanwhile, UK Defense Secretary John Healey commended Ukrainians, saying they "continue to fight with huge courage ... their bravery fused with our support has proved a lethal combination."

He stressed that Ukraine's security is vital for global security.

"When aggression goes unchecked on one continent, it emboldens regimes on other continents," Healey said, warning against the broader implications of the conflict.

The UK plans to spend £4.5 billion on military aid to Ukraine in 2025, marking the largest sum yet, Healey said.

"By the end of March, both directly and with our partners, we will have delivered over 10,000 drones in the last year alone," he added.

The UK official also announced an additional £150 million in new firepower, including tanks, artillery, air-to-air missiles, and equipment for repairs to crucial military hardware in Ukraine.

- China and Indo-Pacific Security

“China is watching. Iran and North Korea are watching,” Healey said, emphasizing the strategic importance of a unified response.

“Let us recognize this danger, let us confront it with conviction and unity and secure peace through strength together,” he urged.

Hegseth also highlighted Washington’s shifting security priorities. "We are prioritizing deterring war with China in the Pacific," he said, acknowledging that the US faces a peer competitor with the capability to threaten its homeland.

"Deterrence cannot fail for all of our sakes," he said, underscoring the need to balance resources between Europe and the Pacific region.