"I’m here today to directly and unambiguously express that stark strategic realities prevent the United States from being the primary guarantor of security in Europe."

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaking to NATO ministers in Europe declared:

"I’m here today to directly and unambiguously express that stark strategic realities prevent the United States from being the primary guarantor of security in Europe.

"Realities prevent the U.S. from being its security guarantor, and to expect a drawdown of U.S. forces in the region.

"We face a peer competitor in the Communist Chinese with the capability and intent to threaten our homeland and core national interests in the Indo-Pacific.

"The U.S. is prioritizing deterring war with China in the Pacific. Recognizing the reality of scarcity and making the resourcing trade-offs to ensure deterrence does not fail. Deterrence cannot fail.

"European allies must lead from the front. United States will no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship which encourages dependency. Rather, our relationship will prioritize empowering Europe to own responsibility for its own security."

President Trump, when asked if he saw Ukraine as an equal partner in the peace process?, said, "Ummm… interesting question. That was not a good war to go into."

Bloomberg Economics estimates Europe must spend $175 billion to rebuild Ukraine’s military.

A 40,000-strong peacekeeping force could cost $30 billion over a decade, but Zelensky says this is insufficient.

EU defense spending may need to hit 3.5% of GDP, requiring $2.7 trillion in new borrowing from Europe’s top five NATO members.

Ukraine needs $230 billion for post-war reconstruction, but there is a $130 billion shortfall in pledged funding. (h/t Clash Report)

European leaders, blindsided by Trump’s peace talks with Russia, now fear being forced to fund Ukraine’s postwar security and reconstruction without a say.

The U.S. expects Europe to take full responsibility.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: “Europe must provide the overwhelming share of aid to Ukraine.”