Trump administration “takes different view of that conflict”: Hegseth signals cut to U.S. Ukraine aid

His remarks were made during a hearing before a House of Representatives committee, as reported by The Washington Post and The Independent.

Hegseth said there will be a “reduction in this budget.”

“This administration takes a very different view of that conflict,” Hegseth said, referring to the war between Russia and Ukraine. “We believe a negotiated, peaceful settlement is in the best interest of both parties and our nation's interests, especially with all the competing interests around the globe.”

Hegseth indicated that the United States is likely to reduce its funding for military aid to Ukraine this year, though he did not provide further details.

“I don't think the word victory has been well defined, or the path to it, and as a result, a path to peace that stops the killing and the carnage is something that President Trump is very invested in,” Hegseth said.

• His comments come amid growing uncertainty over the future of U.S. support for Kyiv. On June 4, reports emerged that the Trump administration had not yet made final decisions regarding future aid packages, with the president focused on ending the war between Russia and Ukraine through negotiations.
• On June 10, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said that Ukrainian diplomats were actively engaged in talks with U.S. officials to secure continued weapons supplies, even after the completion of deliveries pledged under the Biden administration.