Two of President Donald Trump’s top advisers declined to describe Russia as the aggressor in the war in Ukraine, as the administration seeks Vladimir Putin’s support for a peace deal.

The defense secretary outlined the Trump administration’s expectations as it pushes a negotiated end to the war with Russia.

President Donald Trump handed more power to Elon Musk yesterday. An American teacher was freed from captivity in Russia yesterday. A judge ordered the CDC and FDA to restore websites that were removed.

U.S. President Trump talks to Russian President Putin about Ukraine. Trump characterized it as the start of talks to end the war. U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth told NATO that membership for Ukraine was unrealistic and suggested that Ukraine should abandon hopes of returning to its pre-2014 borders.

Several NATO allies stressed that Ukraine and Europe must not be cut out of any peace talks, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied that the U.S. is betraying Ukraine.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday said he does not believe Ukraine joining NATO is “realistic,” as the Trump administration looks to broker an end to Russia’s war in the country.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned NATO allies Thursday both to “take primary responsibility” for the defense of Europe — and that spending anything below 5% of annual gross domestic product on their militaries is “not enough.

CNN’s Kaitlan Collins questioned White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on any pre-conditions around a possible Trump-Putin meeting and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s comments about Ukraine’s NATO membership.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called Ukraine’s desire to recover territory lost to Russia since 2014 an “unrealistic objective," during a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels on Feb. 12.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday that the war between Ukraine and Russia “must end,” that Kyiv joining NATO is unrealistic, and that the US will no longer prioritize European and Ukrainian security as the Trump administration shifts its attention to securing the US’ own borders and deterring war with China.

Trump spoke on the phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the conflict, a development that caught Europe by surprise. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced, als

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine on Wednesday and said it is “unrealistic” to expect Ukraine’s borders to revert to before the 2014 annexation of Crimea.