The US Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, dismissed accusations today (06.03.2025) about Washington’s pro-Russian stance, emphasizing that the US President seeks a peaceful resolution to the invasion of Ukraine, three years after it began. ‘The media is interested in narratives. President Donald Trump is interested in peace between Russia and Ukraine. Therefore, they will characterize us one way or another: “Oh, your stance is pro-Russian or pro…” These are nonsense,’ Hegseth told reporters. ‘The president was elected to bring peace to this conflict. He is working with both sides in a way only President Trump can… to bring them to the table (of negotiations) to stop the killings,’ said the US Defense Secretary. Trump has intensified pressure on Kyiv, suspending all military aid and intelligence cooperation, as his administration promotes negotiations aimed at resolving the largest European conflict since World War II. Hegseth spoke to reporters alongside UK Defense Secretary John Hill, who visited the Pentagon for consultations regarding peace efforts in Ukraine. On the weekend, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov praised Trump’s pursuit of ending the war, accusing European leaders allied with Kyiv of seeking to prolong the Ukrainian conflict. The meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy on February 28th at the White House concluded abruptly; however, Washington and Kyiv have resumed negotiations aiming to reach an agreement on Ukrainian natural resources. During his speech to Congress on Tuesday, Trump mentioned receiving a letter from Zelenskyy stating he is ‘ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible.’ Steve Witkoff, a special envoy of President Trump, announced today discussions with Ukraine concerning a framework for a peace agreement to end hostilities with Russia, with preparations underway for a meeting with Ukrainian officials next week in Saudi Arabia. ‘Now we are discussing how to coordinate a meeting with the Ukrainians,’ Witkoff told reporters at the White House. The meeting is expected to take place in Riyadh or Jeddah, he added.