This was stated by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth before a meeting of NATO defense ministers, as reported by a correspondent from RBK-Ukraine. This information is also provided by Kontrakty.UA.
"As you saw yesterday, only one person in the world can bring the parties to the negotiation table. That is, of course, President Donald Trump. He spoke yesterday with Putin (Vladimir Putin, the dictator of Russia, - ed.), and with Zelensky (Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, - ed.). We are confident that his goal is to stop the killings and establish a lasting peace on the continent," Hegseth stated.
According to the Pentagon chief, today during the NATO defense ministers' meeting, there will be "realistic and honest discussions."
He added that a strong Alliance will defend the free world and the democratic world, while the United States will maintain its leadership.
Trump's Calls to Putin and Zelensky
On December 12, negotiations took place between Trump and Putin. Following that, the U.S. President held a phone conversation with Zelensky.
Addressing journalists in the Oval Office of the White House, Trump stated that the return of Ukraine to its 2014 borders seems unlikely.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, during a visit to Ukraine, emphasized that Trump seeks to end the military conflict as soon as possible. Additionally, a planned agreement on strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States was announced.
Commenting on Trump's call to Putin yesterday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed "impressions" of the beginning of negotiations regarding Ukraine.