US will be ready to "force" Russia to peace unless it ceases war in Ukraine - Hegset
After the premiere of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, the American minister pointed out that now European leaders are sending a clear and unknown signal to Moscow: the moment has come to stop the war. He stressed that if Russia does not demonstrate readiness for peace, the event will act decisively.
"If this war is not stopped, unless the path to peace is determined in the near future, the United States, together with the Allies, will take the necessary steps to put an end to aggression and impose responsibility for its continuation," the US Secretary of Defense said. Hegset stressed that the US does not intend to observe aside and ready to use all the necessary tools to force the aggressor to justice.
According to him, Washington, together with European partners, develops steps that will increase the pressure on the Kremlin and demonstrate that the continuation of the war will have a high price. In addition, the official noted that the United States is able to act as no other country can, and are ready to take on a leading role in ensuring peace in Ukraine.
At the same time, he emphasized that the main key to containment of Russian aggression remains two factors - a capable NATO, headed by European states, and a strong Ukrainian army, capable of defending its territory on its own. Hegset also mentioned that European leaders have now agreed to create a multinational operational headquarters within the so -called "coalition of those who want".
This structure, he said, will become the basis for a potential peacekeeping mission in case of reaching the war on the end of the war. He called it an important step that demonstrates the unity of the event in the face of Russian aggression. The minister added that the United States adheres to the principle of peace through force. In his opinion, only a demonstration of determination and military capacity can force Moscow to abandon aggressive actions.
He urged partners to continue supporting Ukraine both in the military and in the financial plane, because it is, according to him, that can accelerate the path to peace. Hegset separately noted the role of President Donald Trump in the settlement of international conflicts. He recalled that the American leader has already demonstrated the ability to achieve agreements even in the most difficult situations - in particular, in the Middle East.
The minister stressed that although the war in Ukraine began not with Trump's cadence, it is with his leadership that it has a chance to end. At the end of his speech, Hegset stated that the present moment is crucial to establishing a just peace. According to him, the international community should take the opportunity to put an end to the war in Ukraine and ensure stability in Europe.