“America First” in Action: Hegseth Declares No More Blank Checks for Ukraine, Pushes for Peace

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM—In a major shift from previous U.S. policy, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged for an end to the Ukraine War and announced that no additional American aid would be provided to Kyiv at this time. Speaking at NATO headquarters during a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), Hegseth emphasized that the U.S. is prioritizing diplomacy over continued military escalation.

“As we approach the third anniversary of this war, our stance is clear: the bloodshed must stop, and a path to lasting peace must be found,” Hegseth stated. He reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s commitment to negotiating a resolution that would bring both Russia and Ukraine to the table, with the Department of Defense playing a key role in facilitating diplomacy.

First UDCG Meeting Without New U.S. Aid for Ukraine

The gathering marked the 26th meeting of the UDCG, but for the first time, the U.S. did not pledge any new military assistance. Over the past three years, the U.S. has spent more than $180 billion on the conflict. Hegseth signaled that this level of support is unsustainable, urging European allies to take on a larger role in both military aid and post-war stabilization efforts.

“A durable peace requires a balance between military strength and a pragmatic understanding of the battlefield,” he said. He described the idea of Ukraine regaining its pre-2014 borders as “unrealistic” and warned that pursuing such a goal would only prolong the conflict and lead to more suffering.

Additionally, Hegseth stated that the U.S. does not see NATO membership for Ukraine as a likely outcome of a negotiated peace agreement. Instead, any future security framework would need to be supported by European and non-European forces outside of NATO’s direct mandate.

Hegseth addressed concerns about potential troop deployments, stating that any international peacekeeping force should operate independently of NATO and not be subject to Article 5, which requires collective defense among alliance members. He reaffirmed that no U.S. troops would be sent to Ukraine under any security arrangement.

To pressure Russia into negotiations, Hegseth outlined President Trump’s strategy of leveraging energy markets to weaken Moscow’s war economy. “By ramping up American energy production and encouraging allies to do the same, we will drive down global energy prices, cutting off a key revenue stream for Russia,” he explained. Strengthening enforcement of sanctions will also be a crucial tool in bringing Russia to the negotiating table.

Hegseth made it clear that going forward, Europe must take the lead in supporting Ukraine’s defense. He called on NATO allies to increase arms and ammunition donations, expand their defense production capabilities, and take greater financial responsibility for their own security.

“The era of America carrying the overwhelming burden is over,” he said. “It is time for European nations to step up and ensure their own defense.”

As the geopolitical landscape shifts under the Trump administration, Washington’s approach to Ukraine is becoming increasingly focused on ending hostilities through negotiation rather than extending the war through continuous military aid. This policy adjustment signals a new phase in the conflict—one that will test both Ukraine’s resilience and Europe’s willingness to shoulder greater responsibility.