Hegseth is now being asked whether he can guarantee that a deal will not be forced on Ukraine and that Europe would be involved in negotiations. He is also questioned on whether weapons shipments to Ukraine will continue during negotiations.

The US secretary of defence says President Donald Trump called both Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this week.

"Any negotiation that's had will be had with both," Hegseth says.

He adds that Nato and its European members will play a role in the "need for peace", saying that negotiations "affect a lot of people".

Hegseth says "future funding" could be on the negotiation table.

(Source: BBC)