Trump's proposed 2027 defense budget excludes military aid to Ukraine – Senator King

According to Ukrinform, independent Senator Angus King announced this during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at the hearing that if issues related to Russia's invasion and the bravery of Ukrainians are so "important to Europe, […] then European countries should pay for it."

"I'm saying the threat is far closer to rich and capable countries in Europe and they should step up to lead the charge," Hegseth stressed in response to a senator's question about whether the war in Ukraine is only Europe's business.

According to King, "they [the Europeans] have stepped up.”

"But I think the American people should understand that we've stepped back," he added.

The senator noted that the lack of U.S. support for Ukraine exacerbates an "existential struggle for the future of democracy." He also pointed out that Russia is benefiting from the war between the United States and Israel against Iran through increased oil revenues and weakened sanctions.

In a media interview, King said the cost of the war against Iran is likely twice as high as the estimates presented by Pentagon officials to lawmakers on Wednesday.

According to him, that war has already cost the United States about $50 billion.

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