Ukraine returning to its 1991 borders and gaining NATO membership is “unrealistic.”

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, before a meeting of the Contact Group in the Ramstein format, stated that Ukraine reclaiming its internationally recognized borders established in 1991 is an “unrealistic” and “illusory” goal. He advised Ukraine’s allies to “realistically assess” the situation on the battlefield.

“We must recognize that the return to the borders of Ukraine that existed before 2014 is an unrealistic goal. Pursuing this illusory goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering,” Hegseth is convinced.

According to him, “the cessation of hostilities and the achievement and preservation of peace are a priority for US President Donald Trump,” and he will “put both Russia and Ukraine at the negotiating table.”

Hegseth also said that any lasting peace for Ukraine must include solid security guarantees “to ensure that war does not start again.” However, he added that the US does not believe that Ukraine’s membership in NATO is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement.