‘Won't spare those who threaten…': Pete Hegseth vows to ‘crush' China's aggression in Indo-Pacific
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent a clear warning to Beijing at the ASEAN multilateral meeting. Calling out 'Communist Chinese aggression,' Hegseth vowed that the U.S. will stand firm with its allies in the Indo-Pacific and push back with peace through strength.
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Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
Is the US abandoning Ukraine? Aid cuts loom in 2026 budget, Europe pressed to counter Russia
The United States plans to decrease military assistance to Ukraine in the 2026 budget. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says this is a strategic shift. The Trump administration aims to de-escalate the conflict through diplomacy. Washington wants NATO allies to take more responsibility for Europe's defence. Concerns grow over the cost of aid to Ukraine. The US will cut military aid to Ukraine in 2026, focusing on diplomacy instead, as NATO allies are expected to handle Europe's defence against Russia. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why is the US cutting aid to Ukraine? On the ground in Ukraine Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Is the US deserting the Ukrainians? The United States has confirmed that it will reduce military aid to Ukraine in the proposed 2026 defense budget. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated before a congressional subcommittee that the decision is a strategic reorientation, with the Trump administration trying to de-escalate the Ukraine conflict through diplomatic efforts rather than prolonged military engagement. Hegseth also said that Washington's NATO allies should take primary responsibility for Europe's conventional defense and deterrence of comes when growing concerns within Washington over the sustainability of the multi-billion-dollar aid packages sent to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February the past two years, the US has committed more than $66 billion to Ukraine, supplying it with advanced weaponry, ammunition, air defense systems, and logistical with global tensions rising elsewhere, from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East, and domestic calls for fiscal restraint growing louder, the administration is trying to push its NATO allies to spend more in supporting at a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on June 10, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) will be scaled back. 'It is a reduction in this budget,' he told lawmakers, pointing out a viewpoint different from the Biden administration.'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.'The USAI is a key mechanism for delivering US military aid to Ukraine. While Hegseth did not disclose precise figures, he noted that the Pentagon is reassessing specific systems used in the war, saying they are 'not survivable on the modern battlefield,' hinting at a deeper review of weapons strategy beyond view is that the US doesn't want to only focus on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but a much larger potential economic threat, China. Hegseth hinted that American defense resources must be strategically distributed to counter global threats, particularly in the Indo-Pacific the same time, he called on NATO allies to step up, asserting, 'Europe should take primary responsibility for conventional defense and deterrence of Russia.'This messaging mirrors previous calls from Washington for the European Union and NATO to bear a greater share of the financial and logistical burden in supporting Ukraine continues to face relentless Russian aerial assaults. Missile and drone strikes recently targeted Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, intensifying pressure on Ukrainian forces and urgently requests additional air defense systems, including US-supplied Patriot batteries, to shield its cities and energy grid. However, the US has now reallocated some of these resources, reportedly including 20,000 anti-drone missiles originally designated for Ukraine, to American military operations in the Middle officials have not yet formally commented on the proposed aid cuts. Still, analysts warn that any significant drop in Western support could devastate the Ukrainian army and put pressure on Western European NATO the US administration's stance is complex to untangle, the US is not deserting Ukraine either. On multiple occasions, President Trump has remained committed to Ukraine's aid cut may signal a growing prioritization of diplomatic pathways over sustained military funding. The Pentagon is expected to submit its full 2026 budget proposal in the coming move will likely spark debate in Congress, where bipartisan support for Ukraine has shown signs of Social Security Fairness Act, passed in January, is another example of budgetary recalibration: it offers domestic spending increases while potentially diverting resources from overseas believe that the United States is no longer prepared to underwrite an open-ended war in Eastern Europe without a clear endgame and that future support for Ukraine may be shaped more by diplomacy than defence.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Is the US abandoning Ukraine? Aid cuts loom in 2026 budget, Europe pressed to counter Russia
The United States has confirmed that it will reduce military aid to Ukraine in the proposed 2026 defense budget. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated before a congressional subcommittee that the decision is a strategic reorientation, with the Trump administration trying to de-escalate the Ukraine conflict through diplomatic efforts rather than prolonged military engagement. Hegseth also said that Washington's NATO allies should take primary responsibility for Europe's conventional defense and deterrence of Russia. This comes when growing concerns within Washington over the sustainability of the multi-billion-dollar aid packages sent to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Invest today with in Shriram's ULIP Shriram Life Insurance Undo Over the past two years, the US has committed more than $66 billion to Ukraine, supplying it with advanced weaponry, ammunition, air defense systems, and logistical support. However, with global tensions rising elsewhere, from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East, and domestic calls for fiscal restraint growing louder, the administration is trying to push its NATO allies to spend more in supporting Ukraine. Live Events Why is the US cutting aid to Ukraine? Testifying at a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on June 10, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) will be scaled back. 'It is a reduction in this budget,' he told lawmakers, pointing out a viewpoint different from the Biden administration. '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.' The USAI is a key mechanism for delivering US military aid to Ukraine. While Hegseth did not disclose precise figures, he noted that the Pentagon is reassessing specific systems used in the war, saying they are 'not survivable on the modern battlefield,' hinting at a deeper review of weapons strategy beyond Ukraine. Another view is that the US doesn't want to only focus on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but a much larger potential economic threat, China. Hegseth hinted that American defense resources must be strategically distributed to counter global threats, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. At the same time, he called on NATO allies to step up, asserting, 'Europe should take primary responsibility for conventional defense and deterrence of Russia.' This messaging mirrors previous calls from Washington for the European Union and NATO to bear a greater share of the financial and logistical burden in supporting Kyiv. On the ground in Ukraine Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to face relentless Russian aerial assaults. Missile and drone strikes recently targeted Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, intensifying pressure on Ukrainian forces and infrastructure. Kyiv urgently requests additional air defense systems, including US-supplied Patriot batteries, to shield its cities and energy grid. However, the US has now reallocated some of these resources, reportedly including 20,000 anti-drone missiles originally designated for Ukraine, to American military operations in the Middle East. Ukrainian officials have not yet formally commented on the proposed aid cuts. Still, analysts warn that any significant drop in Western support could devastate the Ukrainian army and put pressure on Western European NATO countries. Is the US deserting the Ukrainians? Although the US administration's stance is complex to untangle, the US is not deserting Ukraine either. On multiple occasions, President Trump has remained committed to Ukraine's sovereignty. This aid cut may signal a growing prioritization of diplomatic pathways over sustained military funding. The Pentagon is expected to submit its full 2026 budget proposal in the coming weeks. The move will likely spark debate in Congress, where bipartisan support for Ukraine has shown signs of fracturing. The Social Security Fairness Act, passed in January, is another example of budgetary recalibration: it offers domestic spending increases while potentially diverting resources from overseas commitments. Experts believe that the United States is no longer prepared to underwrite an open-ended war in Eastern Europe without a clear endgame and that future support for Ukraine may be shaped more by diplomacy than defence.
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Business Standard
5 hours ago
- Business Standard
India, Malaysia hold 10th Navy-to-Navy Staff talks to boost maritime ties
The Indian Navy delegation, led by Rear Admiral Shantanu Jha, NM, participated in the 10th Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks with the Royal Malaysian Navy held in Kuala Lumpur on June 10. The Royal Malaysian Navy delegation was led by First Admiral Harisundar Rajoo, Senior Director, Operations and Training. During the talks, both sides discussed ongoing bilateral naval engagements and outlined plans for future collaborative activities. The Indian Navy, in a post on X, stated, "Rear Admiral Shantanu Jha, NM, led the #IndianNavy delegation for the 10th Navy to Navy Staff Talks with the #RoyalMalaysianNavy, at Kuala Lumpur on 10 June. #RoyalMalaysianNavy delegation was led by First Admiral Harisundar Rajoo, Senior Director, Operations and Training. Both sides held discussions on ongoing bilateral naval engagements and outlined plans for future collaborative activities." In parallel to the naval dialogue in Kuala Lumpur, India also expanded its diplomatic outreach in the region. Secretary (East) P Kumaran met Permanent Secretary, Brunei Darussalam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hajah Johariah Binti Abdul Wahab, on the sidelines of East Asia Summit Senior Officials' Meeting (EAS SOM) in Malaysia's Penang on Tuesday. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to further deepen the enhanced partnership between India and Brunei and cooperation under Asean and other frameworks. In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "Secretary (East) P. Kumaran met Ms. Hajah Johariah Binti Abdul Wahab, Permanent Secretary, MoFA of Brunei Darussalam, on the margins of EAS SOM in Penang, Malaysia. The two sides discussed ways to further deepen the Enhanced Partnership between India and Brunei bilaterally, as also cooperation under Asean and other frameworks." On Monday, Kumaran met Michelle Chan, Deputy Secretary, South and Southeast Asia Group and Head of the Office of Southeast Asia, Australia, at the East Asia Summit Senior Officials' Meeting in Penang, and discussed bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest. "Secretary (East) P. Kumaran met Ms. Michelle Chan, Deputy Secretary, South and Southeast Asia Group & Head of the Office of Southeast Asia, Australia on the margins of East Asia Summit Senior Officials' Meeting at Penang, Malaysia. They discussed bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest," Jaiswal posted on X. Further strengthening regional engagement, P Kumaran also met Ambassador Kung Phoak, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, on the margins of East Asia Summit Senior Officials' Meeting in Penang. Jaiswal said that the officials discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation bilaterally and under the Asean framework. In a statement shared on X, Jaiswal stated, "Secretary (East) P. Kumaran met Amb Kung Phoak, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, on the margins of East Asia Summit Senior Officials' Meeting in Penang, Malaysia. Underlining the close partnership between India and Cambodia, the two sides discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation bilaterally and under the Asean framework." EAS Senior Officials' Meetings (SOM) and meetings of EAS Ambassadors to Asean are held regularly to discuss emerging issues and to prepare for EAS ministerial and Leaders' meetings, and to take forward decisions by EAS leaders, according to Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade statement. The EAS has 18 members - the 10 Asean countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) along with Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States.
