US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaking to the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Wednesday, said that a return to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders is an "unrealistic objective" as part of the peace effort to end the Ukraine-Russia war. "President Trump has been clear with the American people -- and with many of your leaders -- that stopping the fighting and reaching an enduring peace is a top priority," Hegseth said about Ukraine, noting that the war is approaching its third anniversary. "He intends to end this war by diplomacy and bringing both Russia and Ukraine to the table. And the U.S. Department of Defense will help achieve this goal," Hegseth continued. "We want a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine. But we must start by recognizing that returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective. Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering." In early 2014, Russia first invaded Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula before annexing the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin then launched a larger military conflict with Ukraine in 2022, which remains ongoing. Hegseth emphasized that Ukraine's membership in NATO is not a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement.