India, Feb. 14 -- US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stoked a row with his recent remarks on Ukraine, stating that the war-torn nation should let go of its aspirations to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

During his Brussels speech, the US defence secretary asserted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should give up on plans to reclaim all of its land from Russia, drawing anger from Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker.

Notably, Wicker had supported Hegseth when he faced allegations of enjoying drinking while being on the job ahead of Senate confirmation. However, the Mississippi Republican has now blasted the Defense Secretary for committing a "rookie mistake" during a speech at NATO headquarters.

Speakin...