In a speech to [[NATO]] representatives in [[Brussels]], [[Belgium]] on February 12, 2025, shortly after taking office, Hegseth said,
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In a speech to [[NATO]] representatives in [[Brussels]], [[Belgium]] on February 12, 2025, shortly after taking office, [[US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth]] said,
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{{Cquote|We want, like you, a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine. But we must start by recognizing that returning to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective.
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{{Cquote|We want, like you, a [[sovereign]] and prosperous [[Ukraine]]. But we must start by recognizing that returning to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective.
Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the [[war]] and cause more suffering.
Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the [[war]] and cause more suffering.