Ukraine-NATO LIVE: Nigel Farage breaks with Trump over Putin call | World | News

The US defence secretary insisted that US plans for a peace settlement with Russia did not amount to a betrayal of Ukraine or its soldiers.

Yesterday, Pete Hegseth told a defence summit in Brussels that it was “unrealistic” to expect Ukraine to return to its pre-2014 borders and downplayed the prospect of the country joining NATO.

Speaking to reporters today before a meeting with his European counterparts, he said that the US has a greater commitment to the Ukraine mission than any other country.

He pointed out that America has invested over $300 billion (£240 billion) in helping Ukraine repel Putin’s army and that the world is “fortunate” to have President Trump, who right now is the only world leader able “to convene the powers to bring peace”.

His comments come as a close ally of Vladimir Putin described Wednesday’s phone call between the US and Russian presidents as “very important”.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, also criticised Joe Biden’s administration for blocking contact, claiming it has put the world “on the brink of the Apocalypse”. He went on to warn the West that if Moscow’s enemies don’t realise Russia cannot be defeated, “the nuclear Doomsday clock will continue its inexorable march toward midnight”.