During a tense Senate Appropriations hearing on Tuesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sparred with Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell over the Trump administration’s evolving stance on the Russia-Ukraine war. The confrontation highlighted growing tension within the GOP, as Trump shifts away from traditional foreign policy approaches toward a more isolationist, deal-focused strategy. McConnell pressed Hegseth with a rapid-fire series of questions, demanding clarity on who the U.S. supports in the conflict. Hegseth acknowledged that Russia is the aggressor but emphasized that Trump’s priority is peace, not necessarily choosing sides, a response that clearly frustrated McConnell.

The exchange comes amid reports that Trump informed Ukrainian and European leaders the U.S. will no longer support new sanctions against Russia, following a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This marks a dramatic reversal from earlier statements suggesting Trump alone could broker peace. Strained relations between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky—most recently seen during a heated Oval Office meeting—have further complicated the administration’s position. Despite criticism from establishment Republicans like McConnell, Trump’s Russia-Ukraine policy appears to enjoy broad public support. A new CNN poll shows Trump’s net approval on the conflict far outpaces former President Joe Biden’s at the same point in his term. CNN analyst Harry Enten noted that Trump is receiving “the benefit of the doubt” from voters, who see his approach as a welcome change. Still, the debate in Washington reflects an ongoing divide over America’s global role and alliances in a time of war.

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