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The European Union's team is gathering in Munich for critical discussions on defense.
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Ukraine is expected to be a top priority at the upcoming conference as Europe reacts to President Trump's proposal for a potential peace agreement with the Russian president.
They have agreed to "work together, very closely" to end the conflict in Ukraine that started with the Russian invasion three years ago.
The move seems to have created a division between the US and Europe, with other G7 countries expressing support for Kyiv and a readiness to accept Ukraine into the NATO alliance.
In the meantime, Trump has proposed that as a part of a peace agreement, Ukraine must accept it will have to yield some territory to Russia, and that NATO membership is not a feasible option.
A government official who yesterday accused critics of failing to acknowledge 'hard power realities'.
The presenter, in his first month on the job, cautioned that President Trump would prevent anyone from transforming Uncle Sam into Uncle Sucker.
At a heated press conference in Brussels following a gathering of NATO defense ministers, Mr. Hegseth accused European allies of taking advantage of the US.
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Regarding the Ukrainian territory currently under illegal occupation by Russian forces, Mr. Hegseth criticized European allies for failing to acknowledge the current state of the conflict - essentially implying that Russia is allowed to retain control of the seized territory.
He also repeated President Trump's mantra of 'peace through strength' and pledged to 'Make NATO Great Again'.
His words, which shocked British and Ukrainian authorities, appeared to be an embodiment of US isolationism on a grand scale and a return to the US foreign policy of the pre-World War Two era.
Sir Ben Wallace, who was the UK defence secretary when Putin launched his invasion, warned that if Trump gave in to the Kremlin, it would be similar to Neville Chamberlain's famous "peace in our time" declaration in Munich in 1938.
Sir Ben said: "It's a shame that this year's meeting in Munich seems destined to reflect the devastating conference of 1938, in which the continent remained oblivious to Hitler's deception."
The odor of appeasement is once again looming in Munich. The same outcome as Chamberlain's will befall the West, whether in the Taiwan Strait, in Iran or in Europe if it fails to hold firm now. And, just as it did 87 years ago, it will originate from Munich.
Sir Ben, who spearheaded Britain's support for Ukraine and supplied the country with tanks and long-range missiles, received backing from top European diplomat Kaja Kallas, who cautioned the US against forming clandestine agreements.
It has been revealed that Britain and other NATO allies were caught off guard by the timing and content of the 47th President's call with his Russian counterpart, which was publicly disclosed through the President's social media platform.
Without any prior consultations with the UK, Ukraine or other partners, President Trump would initiate peace talks with Russia "immediately".
All NATO members were aware that a meeting between the two presidents was anticipated to take place at a later time.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer voiced his support for Ukraine's bid to join NATO, with the backing of members of Parliament in the House of Commons.
Sir Keir stated: "My stance aligns with the Nato position. This was confirmed at the summit we held last year in Washington, where all Nato member countries unanimously agreed that Ukraine would have an irreversible path to Nato membership."
‘No one anticipated NATO membership to be an immediate prospect. It was a long-term goal. But what most importantly, I believe, is that we stand by Ukraine.’
Sir Keir also rejected President Trump's praise of President Putin, whom the US leader has referred to as "a genius" and "savvy".
The Prime Minister stated: "Putin is the aggressor in this situation. This conflict could be resolved immediately if Putin were to withdraw his troops."
‘And thus, for me, that would be the most straightforward and efficient means to bring this conflict to a close.’
In addition to his meetings with the G7 and the Quint, Mr. Lammy is expected to participate in an event on Ukraine and meet with representatives from European, Middle Eastern, and North American countries.
Mr Lammy will be joined by the Defence Secretary, John Healey, who has already attended a NATO meeting and chaired a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group this week.
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