Senators from both parties push Hegseth for action on Ukraine aid
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- A bipartisan group of senators sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding the release of $600 million in security aid to Ukraine and Eastern European allies, expressing frustration over delays by the Department of Defense.
- The funding, allocated by Congress last year, includes $400 million for Ukraine and $200 million for defense programs in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, but the Pentagon missed its promised May 15 deadline to provide a spending plan.
- Senators warned that further delays and planned U.S. troop withdrawals could undermine efforts to deter Russian aggression in the region.
- The letter reflects growing Republican frustration with the Trump administration’s disengagement from Ukraine, including criticism of Defense Secretary Hegseth’s recent firing of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George.
- Meanwhile, in the House, a Democratic-backed proposal for $1 billion in military aid to Ukraine and sweeping sanctions on Russia is gaining support, fueling renewed congressional efforts to bolster Ukraine’s war effort.