Last week, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth drew attention to a more pragmatic view, asserting that Ukraine’s aspirations for NATO membership seemed unrealistic and suggesting that Ukraine should temper its hopes of reclaiming all territories lost to Russia.
He indicated that frank discussions about territorial disputes and security guarantees would likely be part of future negotiations.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his desire for peace in Ukraine, stating that he had communicated with Trump and Zelenskyy following the European summit.
On a social media platform, Macron remarked, “To achieve a strong and lasting peace, Russia must end its aggression, which must be paired with credible security guarantees for Ukraine.” He reiterated the need to collaborate closely with all involved parties.