US Defence Secretary signals plan to cut budget for military aid to Ukraine
The US Defence Secretary has announced plans to cut the programme building new weapons for Ukraine.
During a congressional hearing to discuss the military budget, Pete Hegseth informed the House of Representatives of plans to reduce the budget but did not give any details on the funding for 2026.
The US has given almost $67bn to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
He said: "This administration takes a very different view of that conflict.
"We believe that 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."
It comes days after Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky said that the US had re-directed 20,000 anti-drone missiles that were due to be given to Ukrainian armed forces in an agreement under the Biden administration.
The munitions were sent to US armed forces stationed in the Middle East.
Mr Zelensky said the missiles were vital to counter Russia drone attacks, including swarms of Iranian-designed Shahed drones.
Speaking to ABC News, he said: "We have big problems with Shaheds… we will find all the tools to destroy them.
"We counted on this project – 20,000 missiles. Anti-Shahed missiles.
"It was not expensive, but it's a special technology."
During the hearing, Democratic Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, urged the Defence Secretary to continue supporting the Ukrainian war effort and not turn his back on the country.
She said: "Ukraine has been at war for more than a decade.
"What they've done with drones is astounding, and it's going to change warfare.
"Help Liberty win.
"This is the most important test of liberty for our Nato alliance in my lifetime. And we'd better help win."
Mr Hegseth responded: "We're learning every day from Ukraine.
"I think we would need to clarify what win means.
"This president is committed to peace, is committed to stopping the killing, and he was not in office when it started in 2014.
"There were no additional incursions in his first term, and then, under the previous administration, Vladimir Putin sought to take Ukraine.
"This administration is committed to peace, to stopping the killing."
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