#PETE HEGSETH

Photo: PAP/EPA/RONALD WITTEK

German defense minister accuses Trump of tactical ‘mistake’ on Ukraine

Germany’s defense minister said on Friday it was a mistake for U.S. President Donald Trump to take the bargaining chip of Ukrainian NATO membership off the table ahead of possible talks to end Russia's war with Ukraine.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Photo: PAP/EPA/Johanna Geron / POOL

UPDATE: Pentagon chief says return to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders not realistic

Pete Hegseth also casts doubt on NATO membership for Ukraine.

After returning from the military, Pete Hegseth went on to work for Fox News. Photo: John Lamparski/Getty Images

Trump appoints NATO-skeptic retired major and Fox commentator as secretary of defense

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has picked as his secretary of defense Pete Hegseth, a Fox News commentator and veteran who has hit out at European NATO members’ defense spending and the U.S. support for Ukraine.