Hegseth pointed to the possible need for concessions for an agreement on Ukraine.

Options for a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict may require mutual concessions from Russia and Ukraine, including a possible exchange of territories, but may not satisfy both sides. This opinion was expressed on August 11 by the head of the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, in an interview with Fox News.

"In the negotiation part, you know, there may be exchanges of territories. There will be concessions. No one will be happy," Hegseth said.

According to the Pentagon chief, he is not concerned about this settlement method and the possible exchange of territories.

"No, because this is not a <conflict> started by President [of the United States Donald] Trump. He wasn't the cause of it. The reason was the weakness of previous administrations, [former American leaders Barack] Obama and [Joe] Biden," Hegseth emphasized.

Point of return: what to expect from the summit of the Presidents of Russia and the United States in Alaska

European officials are in turmoil after news of the August 15 meeting.

On the same day, Hegseth announced that he could take part in a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump. According to him, it will depend on the work schedule.

On August 8, Trump announced a meeting with Putin in Alaska on August 15. The US president noted that details about the upcoming negotiations will be published later. Russian Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov called the choice of a venue for negotiations logical. He said that the economic interests of the states intersect in the region.

Later, on August 12, former Alaska Vice Governor Lauren Lehman announced that Trump had chosen Alaska as the venue for talks with Putin because the region was strategically important.

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