In a recent press briefing, President Donald Trump dismissed Ukraine's prospects of joining NATO, suggesting that the alliance's expansion has been a significant factor in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

These statements have ignited renewed discussions regarding U.S. foreign policy and NATO's involvement in the situation, Republic World reports.

During his initial cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Feb 26, Trump attributed the war to NATO's growth and unequivocally stated that Ukraine's inclusion in the alliance is not under consideration. When questioned about a possible resolution to the war, Trump responded, "NATO—you can forget about." He further commented, "I think that's probably the reason the whole thing started."

Additionally, Trump emphasized that European nations, rather than the United States, should be accountable for providing security assurances to Ukraine. He highlighted his administration's dedication to facilitating a peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow to conclude the ongoing conflict. The meeting included key cabinet members, notably Elon Musk, head of DOGE and a close Trump ally.