Is the US abandoning Ukraine? Aid cuts loom in 2026 budget, Europe pressed to counter Russia

Economic Times

a day ago

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 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.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.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.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.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.