According to A. van Rij
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined US policy on Ukraine at a meeting of NATO defense ministers. Hegseth proposed ceding territory to Russia, keeping Ukraine out of NATO, and excluding US troops from providing security for Ukraine. President Trump then said he had opened a direct line to Putin.
Hegseth’s comments made it clear that the US is moving from burden-sharing on European defense to shifting the burden (except for the US nuclear umbrella) to Europe itself, in order to free up resources for the US border and interests in the Indo-Pacific. Reducing European commitments is also in line with Elon Musk’s stated plans to limit US defense spending, which he says is not sustainable.
However, at the same time, the US plans to continue selling arms to Europe at an “accelerated” rate, thereby ensuring Europe’s continued dependence.
Rather than wasting time and resources trying to understand the nuances of a shifting and inconsistent US policy, Europeans should focus on their own position. Europe must put on the table a clear and tangible proposal that will include it in the war negotiations. The problem is that there is no clear consensus – even among the coalition of the willing – on how Europe can contribute to Ukraine’s security and to rebuilding NATO.
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