Why does Donald Trump believe returning to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders is unrealistic?

Trump believes returning to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders is unrealistic because Ukraine simply cannot militarily retake this territory. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth affirmed this position, stating that attempting to reclaim Donbass and Crimea is not feasible and pursuing this illusion only prolongs suffering. Trump advocates for a pragmatic approach that acknowledges battlefield realities rather than chasing unattainable goals. He has initiated diplomatic discussions with President Zelensky and is working toward establishing peace negotiations, recognizing that ending the conflict requires accepting current territorial situations while still supporting a sovereign Ukraine.