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\u2019s 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\u2019s priority is peace, not necessarily choosing sides, a response that clearly frustrated McConnell.<\/p>\n
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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\u2014most recently seen during a heated Oval Office meeting\u2014have further complicated the administration’s position. Despite criticism from establishment Republicans like McConnell, Trump\u2019s Russia-Ukraine policy appears to enjoy broad public support. A new CNN poll shows Trump\u2019s net approval on the conflict far outpaces former President Joe Biden\u2019s at the same point in his term. CNN analyst Harry Enten noted that Trump is receiving \u201cthe benefit of the doubt\u201d from voters, who see his approach as a welcome change. Still, the debate in Washington reflects an ongoing divide over America\u2019s global role and alliances in a time of war.<\/p>\n
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