Hegseth: Ukraine's return to the borders of 2022 is possible, NATO membership is not

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth did not rule out the possibility of Ukraine returning to the borders of 2022, but said that NATO membership was unlikely. The statements were made today, February 14, at a press conference in Warsaw.

At the same time, he unequivocally ruled out the return of Ukraine to the borders of 2014.

"The reality in the form of a return to the borders of 2014 in the framework of a negotiated settlement is unlikely. The reality in the form of American troops on Ukraine is unlikely. The reality in the form of Ukraine's membership in NATO as part of a negotiated settlement is unlikely," Hegseth said.

He also stressed that it is unacceptable to assume that the presence of American forces in Europe will be eternal.

"Now (Europe) is the time to invest in defense, because you can't make the assumption that the American presence will last forever. America has to deal with a lot of threats," Hegseth said.