Summary
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth struggled to answer what Russia would concede in Ukraine peace talks, instead defending the Trump administration’s negotiations.
His comments at NATO suggested Ukraine would have to give up NATO membership and lost territory, sparking backlash. Critics, including John Bolton, argued the deal was Kremlin propaganda.
Hegseth later attempted to walk back his remarks, but experts said he had already ceded too much to Russia.
Trump’s denial of ordering a retraction failed to quell concerns over Hegseth’s inexperience and the administration’s approach.
My guess is that he negotiated to get a gold colored pillow for him, Trump, and the rest of the Republicans to use.