The Pentagon chief stated that providing nuclear weapons to Ukraine isn't off the table, but ultimately, the decision rests with Trump.

He stated this in an interview with Breitbart News.

Hegset emphasized that his role is to create conditions for negotiations, particularly regarding NATO. At the same time, the U.S. does not support Ukraine's membership in the Alliance and considers a return to the borders of 2014 to be "unrealistic."

"I am not here to announce anything open or unconsidered. That is not my job. It is the president's responsibility. He is the leader, a master negotiator, and a dealmaker,” the minister declared.

Recall that on February 12, the head of the Pentagon mentioned at the meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine Defense in the "Ramstein" format in Brussels that "harsh strategic realities" hinder Washington from "focusing primarily on the security of Europe." He noted that America must be concerned with containing China and securing its own borders.

On February 13, after the NATO defense ministers' meeting in Brussels, Hegset explained that he does not view his remarks about the impossibility of returning Ukraine to its 2014 borders as a concession to Putin.