What is the United States' position on Ukraine's NATO membership prospects in relation to achieving a durable peace settlement?

According to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the United States maintains that NATO membership for Ukraine is not a realistic outcome of a negotiated peace settlement. While emphasizing the need for robust security guarantees to ensure lasting peace and prevent the conflict from reigniting, the U.S. position acknowledges the practical limitations of NATO expansion in this context. The Secretary's statement reflects a pragmatic approach to peace negotiations, distinguishing between providing strong security assurances for Ukraine and full NATO integration. This position suggests that alternative security frameworks must be developed to protect Ukraine's sovereignty while working within the geopolitical realities that make NATO membership currently unfeasible as part of a comprehensive peace agreement with Russia.