US will not send troops to Ukraine, Pentagon Chief confirms

English , Interviews - انٹرویوز , Snippets , / Tuesday, February 11th, 2025

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Anadolu Ajansı
WASHINGTON — US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed on Tuesday that the United States will not deploy troops to Ukraine, as the country nears the third anniversary of the Russia-led conflict. Speaking to reporters in Stuttgart, Germany, Hegseth stated, “We are not sending US troops to Ukraine,” while visiting senior military leaders at US European Command and US Africa Command.
Hegseth, who is scheduled to attend NATO defense ministers’ and Ukraine Defense Contact Group meetings in Brussels, emphasized the importance of strengthening allied defense spending and enhancing European leadership. “We need to boost defense spending and expand industrial capacity on both sides of the Atlantic,” he said.
On the potential for a peace agreement in Ukraine, Hegseth expressed hope for a swift resolution and indicated that force posture and strategy would be reassessed following a peace deal. He also pointed to the need for NATO countries to contribute more to defense, advocating for a minimum of 3% of GDP on defense spending.
Addressing border security, Hegseth highlighted it as the “biggest threat” to the US and stressed the importance of maintaining secure borders. He also commented on China’s growing ambitions, calling them a significant external concern.
In response to questions about potential reductions in US military presence in Europe to shift focus to the Pacific, Hegseth confirmed that there were no current plans for such cuts.