The United States has not ruled out Ukraine's potential NATO membership or a return to pre-2014 borders as part of possible peace negotiations to end the ongoing war, according to senior US official John Coale.
Speaking to Reuters in Munich on Thursday, Deputy Ukraine Envoy Coale clarified that both options "are still on the table," directly contradicting earlier statements by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth who had suggested NATO membership for Kyiv was not being considered as part of a resolution.
The conflicting messages from US officials sparked concerns about potential pre-negotiation concessions to Russia. Hegseth later revised his position, stating that "everything is on the table" for Ukraine negotiations, with final decisions to be made by President Trump.
President Trump, however, expressed skepticism about Ukraine's NATO prospects, telling reporters he believed Russia would never "allow" Ukraine to join the alliance. He criticized the Biden administration for introducing the idea, stating "I believe that is the reason the war started. Biden shouldn't have said that."
The statements come as the US prepares for formal peace talks, with Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff set to lead negotiations with Russia. Deputy Envoy Coale and General Keith Kellogg continue engagement with European and Ukrainian representatives at the Munich Security Conference.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed General Kellogg's involvement, noting he "remains a critical part of this team and this effort," despite his absence from Trump's official announcement of cabinet officials leading the peace talks.