Washington, D.C. (February 13, 2025) – In a significant policy shift, the United States has declared that Ukraine will not be joining NATO, and no American troops will be deployed to the country. This announcement was made by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
Hegseth emphasized that NATO membership for Ukraine is unrealistic and urged the country to prepare for a negotiated settlement with Russia. He also stated that any security guarantees for Ukraine should be backed by capable European and non-European troops, rather than NATO forces2.
Key Points of the Announcement
NATO Membership for Ukraine:
Hegseth declared that Ukraine’s aspirations for NATO membership are unrealistic and that the country should abandon hopes of returning to its pre-2014 borders.
No American Troops in Ukraine:
The U.S. will not deploy troops to Ukraine as part of any peacekeeping mission. Hegseth stressed that any peacekeeping forces should not be part of a NATO mission and should not be covered by Article 5, the alliance’s mutual defense pact.
European Responsibility:
The U.S. is urging European allies to assume greater financial and military responsibilities for the defense of Ukraine. Hegseth called on European NATO members to increase their defense spending and provide the overwhelming share of lethal and non-lethal aid to Ukraine.
Reactions and Implications
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions from NATO allies and the international community. While some support the U.S. stance, others express concerns about the potential impact on Ukraine’s security and the broader geopolitical landscape.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community will be closely monitoring the developments and the implications of this significant policy shift.