US defence secretary says return to Ukraine’s 2014 borders ‘unrealistic’

US defence secretary says return to Ukraine’s 2014 borders ‘unrealistic’

In a recent statement, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated that it is “unrealistic” to expect Ukraine to return to its pre-2014 borders, when Russia first took control of Crimea. Hegseth downplayed suggestions of Ukraine joining NATO and ruled out deploying US troops to Ukraine under any future security arrangements.

The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been a source of tension in the region for years, with Russia currently controlling around a fifth of Ukraine’s territory, mainly in the east and south. Despite Ukraine’s repeated calls for NATO membership and rejection of ceding territory as part of any peace deal, the situation remains complex and unresolved.

Hegseth’s comments highlight the challenges and complexities surrounding the conflict in Ukraine, and underscore the importance of diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the international community will respond and work towards resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

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