The United States has not ruled out Ukraine’s potential membership in NATO or a return to its pre-2014 borders, despite conflicting remarks from top officials earlier in the week.
Speaking on Thursday, President Donald Trump’s deputy Ukraine envoy, John Coale, clarified that both options remain under consideration as part of potential negotiations to end the war.
“Right now, that is still on the table,” Coale stated when asked about Ukraine’s NATO prospects and the possibility of reclaiming its territories lost to Russia in 2014.
His remarks contradicted a statement made on Wednesday by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who told Ukraine’s military allies in Brussels that restoring Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders was unrealistic and that NATO membership for Kyiv was not part of Washington’s vision for a resolution to the war.
Hegseth’s comments sparked concerns that the U.S. might be making early concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin before formal negotiations begin.
Reacting to the developments, Trump told reporters at the White House that he did not believe Russia would ever allow Ukraine to join NATO, blaming President Joe Biden’s administration for suggesting the idea in the first place.
“I believe that is the reason the war started. Biden shouldn’t have said that,” Trump stated.
However, Hegseth appeared to backtrack on his earlier remarks, later saying in a press conference that “everything remains on the table” regarding Ukraine’s future. He reiterated that it would be up to Trump to decide on any concessions during negotiations.
Trump had earlier ordered his top officials to begin discussions on ending the nearly three-year war, signaling a potential shift in U.S. diplomatic efforts.
Also Read:
Only Zelenskiy can negotiate peace with Russia — Macron
NNPCL under pressure to reduce petrol price following Dangote Refinery cuts
UCH, IBEDC power crisis embarrassment to Nigerian Government – Minister
cc: Daily Post Ng
