[D66] US maakt terugtrekkende beweging uit NATO

[René Oudeweg]

voanews.com
US defense secretary: Europe-led NATO is 'future of defense on continent'
VOA News
2–3 minutes

On a windy Thursday outside Washington at the Pentagon, U.S. Defense 
Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed his British counterpart to discuss how 
best to quickly end Russia's war in Ukraine.

"European leadership of NATO, led by the U.K., led by others, is, we 
believe, the future of defense on the continent," Hegseth said.

British Defense Secretary John Healey said the United Kingdom had 
increased its defense spending and would continue to do so.

"You challenged us to step up on Ukraine, on defense spending, on 
European security. And I say to you that we have, we are, and we will 
further," Healey said.

On the possibility of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, Healey 
said the U.K. believes Kyiv is ready to make the most of a "unique 
opportunity."

But as to whether the U.S. has seen enough to resume intelligence 
sharing with Ukraine, that is up to President Donald Trump, the U.S. 
defense secretary said.

"We're very encouraged by the signs we're seeing. Ultimately, he will 
make the determination. But it is a pause for now," Hegseth said.

Hegseth added that Trump is "laser focused" on ending the bloodshed.

In a joint address to Congress on Tuesday evening, Trump said he was 
working to end the war in Ukraine.

"It's time to stop this madness," he said.

Trump's comments came the day after the United States paused military 
aid to Ukraine and a few days after an acrimonious Oval Office meeting 
on Feb. 28 concluded with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 
leaving the White House without an agreement.

In his address, Trump said he received a letter Tuesday from Zelenskyy 
that said Kyiv was "ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as 
possible."

VOA National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin contributed to this report.