“Cheap argument”: Hegseth rules out deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine under NATO auspices

European peacekeepers must act independently, and not under the auspices of NATO, so as not to trigger Article 5, the Pentagon chief noted.

The United States will not deploy troops to Ukraine. In addition, European peacekeepers should not be part of a NATO mission that could trigger Article 5 and thus a U.S. military intervention, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in an interview with Breitbart News on Thursday, February 13.

Hegseth responded to critics who say any non-NATO peacekeeping mission would not deter Russian dictator Vladimir Putin:

“This seems like a cheap and simple argument… This is from the same people who have not presented any new ideas… What is your idea – endless trench warfare?”

Hegseth said his role in the talks was “part” of a comprehensive approach led by Trump.

“You’ll see some of the conversations that our Treasury Secretary, Vice President, and Secretary of State have had with (Ukrainian President Volodymyr – UNIAN) Zelensky, which I think will demonstrate American investment and interest in Ukraine that has a very different level of assurance than just, ‘We like you, so we’re going to support you,'” he added.

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