Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently stated that U.S. troops in Ukraine are improbable, while emphasizing agreement with Vice President JD Vance on the matter. During a press conference with Polish Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Hegseth addressed the potential deployment of U.S. troops to Ukraine. Initially appearing to dismiss the notion, he later suggested it wasn't entirely off the table, adding that he wouldn't restrict presidential negotiation possibilities with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine.
This statement follows an interview Vice President Vance gave to The Wall Street Journal, where he reportedly indicated that sending U.S. troops to Ukraine remained a possibility. Vance also mentioned potential economic and military measures against Russia to resolve the ongoing conflict. He highlighted President Trump's desire for fruitful negotiations with Presidents Zelenskyy and Putin, hinting at a surprising potential agreement.
These remarks seemingly differ from Hegseth's earlier address to the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, where he advocated for security guarantees for Ukraine supported by European and non-European forces, explicitly excluding U.S. troop deployment. This apparent contradiction prompted Senator Roger Wicker to express confusion and concern over Hegseth's statements, labeling them a "rookie mistake."
Meanwhile, former President Trump recently announced a productive phone call with President Putin, who agreed to initiate negotiations to end the war. Trump assigned a team led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to oversee these discussions, expressing confidence in their success.
