Trump and Putin Stun Europe with the peace plan for Ukraine – Politico

France was also in contradiction with the American position, insisting that Ukraine should remain on the path of NATO membership. Earlier, Hegseth had indeed excluded this, at least in the context of any security guarantee accompanying a peace agreement. He also excluded the participation of American troops in any peacekeeping mission and said NATO as an organization should not be involved.

“We are very attached to a path for Ukraine to NATO. If there is peace, we need security guarantees so that it is fair and lasting, “said Jean-Nobé Barrot, French Minister for Foreign Affairs. “It is European security that is at the game of this war of aggression – which has turned the world order upset and means that we cannot return to the world before the invasion.”

In his announcement, Trump said that a team will start to speak with Putin representatives right away. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be joined by CIA director John Ratcliffe and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz as part of the American negotiation team. “I believe that this effort will lead to a successful conclusion, I hope soon!” Said Trump.

Oleksandr Merezhko, head of the Ukrainian parliament for foreign relations, said Hegseth’s comments were “illogical”.

“The new security secretary should simply start by coming to Ukraine and familiarizing himself with the Ukrainian armed forces,” said Merezhko. “Ukraine can return all its territory, it is absolutely real. But for this to happen, technical military aid in the United States and stronger sanctions are necessary – in particular, American financial sanctions against the Russian economy. »»

British officials said they had agreed that Europe should do more. “We hear you,” said British Defense Minister John Healey in response to Hegseth’s comments. “By speaking for Ukraine, we are and we will. By intensifying European security, we are and we will. »»

Veronika Melkozerova and Gabriel Gavin contributed to this report.