LIVE: UK Defence Secretary gives statement on NATO

America cannot be relied upon to guarantee the security of Europe from Russia because it has to focus on its own borders and the threat of China, President Trump’s defence secretary told Nato leaders on Wednesday. In remarks that will rattle Nato allies, Pete Hegseth used his first speech on the world stage to rule out using US troops to uphold a peace deal in Ukraine. Speaking at Nato headquarters in Brussels, Hegseth said the US would block any Nato involvement in the conflict or resolution. Pressure will instead fall on Britain and France to lead any peacekeeping force, which will have to be significant enough to defend against Russia should a deal crumble. He also ruled out Nato membership for Ukraine as part of any peace deal. Read the best of our journalism: https://www.thetimes.com/ Subscribe to The Times and The Sunday Times YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=timesonlinevideo Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timesandsundaytimes/ Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thetimes Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetimes/ #livestream #uk #nato #ukrainewar