During a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth strongly pushed back against criticism of Washington’s approach to negotiations with Russia over the war in Ukraine. He cautioned European allies against placing excessive security burdens on the United States, making it clear that President Trump would not tolerate America being taken advantage of. "Make no mistake, President Trump will not allow anyone to turn Uncle Sam into 'Uncle Sucker,'" Hegseth stated. He emphasized that European nations should take primary responsibility for their own defense.

US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth called on NATO members to spend more on defence and warned that, "President Trump will not allow anyone to turn Uncle Sam into Uncle Sucker." pic.twitter.com/0CsaYWB1iJ

— Newsweek (@Newsweek) February 14, 2025

 

Since assuming his role at the Pentagon on January 24, Hegseth’s remarks have triggered controversy, particularly after he suggested on Wednesday that restoring Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders was unrealistic and that NATO membership for Kyiv was not seen as a solution by the Trump administration. His statements were met with strong opposition from European officials, who viewed them as a significant concession to Russian President Vladimir Putin before negotiations had even begun. Critics argue that the U.S. has effectively weakened its position by signaling an unwillingness to push back against Russia's territorial gains.

 

Defending his stance, Hegseth described his comments as a recognition of the realities on the battlefield. He also left open the possibility of U.S. flexibility in negotiations, including reconsidering American military support to Ukraine and the presence of U.S. troops in Europe. "I think it would be fair to say that things like future funding, either less or more, could be on the table in negotiations," he said, while emphasizing that he would not speak ahead of President Trump on the matter.

 

The situation intensified following Trump’s direct engagement with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday. Trump instructed U.S. officials to initiate discussions aimed at ending the war, now approaching its third year. His decision to approach Putin unilaterally, without consulting NATO allies, raised concerns in Kyiv and across Europe. Many fear that the U.S. might negotiate a deal that compromises Ukraine’s interests and regional security.

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made it clear that any agreement reached without Ukraine’s direct involvement would be unacceptable. "We, as a sovereign country, simply will not be able to accept any agreements without us," he stated firmly. European leaders echoed this sentiment, warning that any rushed settlement could result in an unstable and unfavorable outcome. "Any quick fix is a dirty deal," European foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas remarked at NATO headquarters, reinforcing the necessity of a collective approach.

 

Hegseth, however, dismissed accusations that the U.S. was undermining NATO or weakening European security. Instead, he reiterated the importance of strengthening the alliance by ensuring that European nations take on more responsibility for their defense. "NATO is a great alliance, the most successful defense alliance in history, but to endure for the future our partners must do far more for Europe's defense. We must make NATO great again," he declared.

 

His comments signal a shift in U.S. policy under the Trump administration, one that seeks to reassess long-standing defense commitments and encourage European nations to take greater ownership of their security. While the path forward remains uncertain, the tension between Washington and its NATO allies continues to build, reflecting deeper divisions over how best to approach the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

 

Based on a report by Reuters 2025-02-15

 

 

Hell no, "Uncle Sucker" is the name of his favourite bar!

Quote

"President Trump will not allow anyone to turn Uncle Sam into Uncle Sucker."

Oh yeah?!  

NATO better figure out how to protect their sensitive information from the Russian spies in the White House. They have a traitor in their midst.

The louder the lefties howl, the better things are going. 

 

Liston how they howl when they are expected to pay their own way. 

4 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

The louder the lefties howl, the better things are going. 

 

Liston how they howl when they are expected to pay their own way. 

So by that logic, California and New York can stop sending money to Mississippi. 

1 minute ago, cjinchiangrai said:

So by that logic, California and New York can stop sending money to Mississippi. 

That old chestnut again? 

 

Or by money, do you mean manufacturing and tech companies fleeing? 

 

6 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

The louder the lefties howl, the better things are going. 

 

Liston how they howl when they are expected to pay their own way. 

Paying more in to the us so they can waste it ? 

 

This is just opening up for another world structure, when Usa is not willing tonprotect their backyards of interest, but claiming more tax, more paymente so you guys can pay your stockholders more, while your own people paying the bill.

 

Another empire down the drain because of incompetence and greed. 

 

Same story, new vending 

Just now, Hummin said:

Paying more in to the us so they can waste it ? 

 

This is just opening up for another world structure, when Usa is not willing tonprotect their backyards of interest, but claiming more tax, more paymente so you guys can pay your stockholders more, while your own people paying the bill.

 

Another empire down the drain because of incompetence and greed. 

 

Same story, new vending 

NATO countries spend the money in their own countries or as they see fit to arm themselves. 

 

The EU is a better example of an empire down the drain because of incompetence and greed. 

4 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

NATO countries spend the money in their own countries or as they see fit to arm themselves. 

 

The EU is a better example of an empire down the drain because of incompetence and greed. 

 

We will see how it goes, and with the new targets for Nato, which I actually welcome, who will be the largest partner for us. 

 

The European Union and the United States have the world's largest bilateral trade and investment relationship, and enjoy the most integrated economic relationship in the world. Taking goods, services and investment into account, the EU and the US are each other's largest trading partners by far

 

https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/united-states_en

12 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

That old chestnut again? 

 

Or by money, do you mean manufacturing and tech companies fleeing? 

 

No, redneck meth heads sucking up govt assistance on the blue states dime.

23 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

NATO better figure out how to protect their sensitive information from the Russian spies in the White House. They have a traitor in their midst.

I should imagine NATO have been on the case for a while - at least since those boxes of files were found in Donald's sea side khazi!

6 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

No, redneck meth heads sucking up govt assistance on the blue states dime.

So that old chestnut again, that's what I thought. 

2 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

So that old chestnut again, that's what I thought. 

Oh, that old deflection again. 

Just now, cjinchiangrai said:

Oh, that old deflection again. 

 

Oh, deflection, got it. Do you have anything other than some lame leftist article that supports your silly claim you regurgitate endlessly? No, you don't. 

 

But to be clear, I am against "...redneck meth heads sucking up govt assistance on..." anyone's dime

42 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

NATO better figure out how to protect their sensitive information from the Russian spies in the White House. They have a traitor in their midst.

The FBI? They have aided and abetted Russian efforts before?

3 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

 

Oh, deflection, got it. Do you have anything other than some lame leftist article that supports your silly claim you regurgitate endlessly? No, you don't. 

 

But to be clear, I am against "...redneck meth heads sucking up govt assistance on..." anyone's dime

Oh yeah. The old rednecks do it too argument LOL

9 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

Oh, that old deflection again. 

Hey, I bet if they were illegal alien meth heads sucking up govt assistance you'd be all for it. 

38 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

So by that logic, California and New York can stop sending money to Mississippi. 

They don’t do that. 

21 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

No, redneck meth heads sucking up govt assistance on the blue states dime.

This is a tired old narrative.  

Just now, TedG said:

They don’t do that. 

He's just regurgitating some leftist nonsense headline he saw on RawStory, and anyone that points out that out is deflecting. 

Just now, Yellowtail said:

He's just regurgitating some leftist nonsense headline he saw on RawStory, and anyone that points out that out is deflecting. 

They are not deep thinkers. 

Just now, TedG said:

They are not deep thinkers. 

"Ignorant and arrogant, often wrong, never in doubt"

Ukraine should stop whining. Fix your own problems or pay back the $200bn.

39 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Paying more in to the us so they can waste it ? 

 

This is just opening up for another world structure, when Usa is not willing tonprotect their backyards of interest, but claiming more tax, more paymente so you guys can pay your stockholders more, while your own people paying the bill.

 

Another empire down the drain because of incompetence and greed. 

 

Same story, new vending 

 

When you say not willing to protection their interests.  You mean the US tax payer needs to keep on paying to defend depend the Euro zone.   Why can’t the Euro’s defend theselves?  

Just now, Harrisfan said:

Ukraine should stop whining. Fix your own problems or pay back the $200bn.

it’s 200 billion well spent to degrage Russia.  

5 minutes ago, TedG said:

This is a tired old narrative.  

He was not wrong. 
https://time.com/7222411/blue-states-are-bailing-out-red-states/

1 minute ago, TedG said:

 

When you say not willing to protection their interests.  You mean the US tax payer needs to keep on paying to defend depend the Euro zone.   Why can’t the Euro’s defend theselves?  

Bunch of weak men. Mostly socialists.

Just now, Eric Loh said:

He was not wrong. 
https://time.com/7222411/blue-states-are-bailing-out-red-states/

He is wrong.  The states do not pay taxes. 

3 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

He was not wrong. 
https://time.com/7222411/blue-states-are-bailing-out-red-states/

The article does not support his claim. 

 

You should read it.