American defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reported on Tuesday that the US defence budget for 2026 provided for a simplification in funds allocated to military support for Ukraine. The budget shows cuts – confirmed during his speech in Congress, answering a question about further assistance to Kiev. He besides stressed that the current administration presents a completely different approach to this conflict, referring to Russia's war against Ukraine.
We believe that a negotiated peace agreement is in the best interests of both parties and in the interests of our country, especially given the competitive interests of the world – he added.
According to the Associated Press agency, budget cuts may consequence in less air defence systems being supplied, which play a key function in countering Russian attacks on Ukraine.
Hegseth praised Ukraine
Hegseth estimated that Ukrainian operation Spider, during which Russian airbases were attacked, was brave and very effective. He stressed that the United States had not previously been informed of the plans to carry it out. As he pointed out, the action demonstrates the crucial improvement of Ukraine's ability to usage drones in armed activities.
The head of the Pentagon besides added that the U.S. carefully monitors the course of war and on this basis draws conclusions to better prepare for possible akin threats in the future. The United States is to pay peculiar attention to the improvement of drone technologies in Ukraine.
The Alliance Summit in The Hague
In a broader context of global security, Hegseth announced that NATO states were close to reaching an agreement on expanding defence spending to 5% of GDP. During the gathering of the Alliance's defence ministers in Brussels, he besides stressed that the US is presently reviewing the global deployment of its armed forces.
There are reasons why our troops are deployed in circumstantial locations. It is reasonable for us to review our defence attitude regularly with our allies to make certain that it is decently adjusted. – he noted.
The gathering of NATO Defence Ministers takes place in preparation for the Hague Alliance Summit scheduled on 24 and 26 June. It is then that the key decisions on both the increase in defence spending and further support for Ukraine are expected.
