'Russia Is The Major Winner': Angus King Challenges Pete Hegseth Over Ukraine Pullback | US News
May 9, 2026
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8:02Now Playing'Russia Is The Major Winner': Angus King Challenges Pete Hegseth Over Ukraine Pullback | US News
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as posted by the channelUS News: Senator Angus King Jr. sharply questioned U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a tense Senate Armed Services Committee hearing over President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget and the administration’s apparent pullback from supporting Ukraine.
King criticized the budget structure, arguing that nearly a quarter of defense spending was being moved outside the traditional congressional appropriations process, calling it a “slush fund” and warning Congress was “abdicating” part of its responsibility. The Maine senator also raised alarm over the administration providing “zero funding for Ukraine” in the latest proposal.
“This is an existential struggle for the future of democracy,” King said, warning that Russia has become “the major winner so far of the war in Iran” through increased oil revenues and sanctions relief. He pressed Hegseth directly: “Why are we abandoning Ukraine?”
Hegseth defended the administration’s position, arguing that European nations should take greater responsibility for funding Ukraine’s defense. “Europe can step up. Europe can fund it,” Hegseth said, adding that the conflict is geographically closer to Europe and that “rich and capable countries in Europe” should “shoulder the burden.”
The heated exchange highlighted growing divisions in Washington over America’s role in the Ukraine war, military spending priorities, and the future of U.S. global leadership. Watch the full exchange from the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
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#usnews #petehegseth #ukraine #uspolitics #angusking #news
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