German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius criticized the US government for what he said was its premature concessions to Russia even before possible peace talks on Ukraine began, the "The Guardian".

The criticism came after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a NATO meeting in Brussels yesterday said that “returning Ukraine to its pre-2014 borders is not realistic” and that Kiev should give up NATO membership, which is “unrealistic.” He also stressed that American troops would not be part of any possible peacekeeping force on Ukrainian territory.

Pistorius said such statements were harmful.

"In my opinion, it would be better if the issues of Ukraine's NATO membership or possible territorial losses were discussed only at the negotiating table, rather than being raised in advance," the German minister said in Brussels.

He also stressed that Europe must be an active participant in any future negotiations, otherwise it will be excluded from shaping the new security order.