NATO Membership and Pre-2014 Ukraine Borders Are Still on the Table, Trump’s Deputy Envoy Says

John Coale, President Donald Trump’s deputy Ukraine envoy stated on February 13 that the US has not ruled out Ukraine’s potential NATO membership or a negotiated return to its pre-2014 borders.

“Right now, that is still on the table,” Coale told Reuters in Munich, adding that a potential return to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders remains on the table.

Previously, on February 12, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told NATO allies that “returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective,” as President Donald Trump focuses on efforts to end the war.

Later, on February 13, Hegseth appeared to walk back his previous remarks, stating at a press conference that “everything is on the table” for Ukraine war negotiations and that it would be up to Trump to determine what concessions would be made.

According to the news agency, after Coale’s comment, Trump told reporters at the White House that he did not believe Russia would “allow” Ukraine to join NATO, criticizing President Joe Biden’s administration for raising the issue in the first place.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on February 13, Trump assured that Ukraine will be part of upcoming negotiations aimed at ending the war, while also advocating for Russia’s reinstatement in the G7.