The United States will reduce its military aid to Ukraine in the upcoming 2026 defense budget, signaling a broader policy shift by the Trump administration regarding the war.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the decision on Tuesday during a Congressional hearing, stating, “It is a reduction in this budget. The administration takes a very different view of this conflict.” When pressed, Hegseth emphasized that the administration is seeking a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine.
While specific figures have not yet been released, the anticipated funding cuts are expected to limit Ukraine’s ability to procure key military systems such as Patriot air defense batteries, HIMARS rocket launchers, and artillery munitions.
Under the Biden administration, U.S. support for Ukraine largely relied on long-term contracts between the Department of Defense and weapons manufacturers, as well as direct congressional appropriations. Those contracts were central to sustaining Ukraine's defense capabilities, particularly in air and artillery systems.
Tuesday’s announcement underscores a broader strategic pivot by the Trump administration, which appears to be scaling back its support and potentially preparing to disengage further from the Ukrainian war effort.
On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that the U.S. had re-routed 20,000 anti-drone missiles previously promised to Ukraine under a Biden-era agreement. The missiles were reportedly diverted by order of Hegseth to U.S. forces in the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran.
Further signaling the shift, Hegseth skipped the June 4 meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in Ramstein, Germany—a key forum for coordinating weapons deliveries to Ukraine. He also did not attend the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting held the same day in Brussels. Instead, the U.S. was represented by Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker.
Although Hegseth attended the broader NATO Defense Ministers meeting on June 5, his absence from Ukraine-focused sessions was widely noted.
In April, Hegseth circulated a memo outlining the administration’s strategic priorities, naming the Indo-Pacific and competition with China as the U.S. military’s top focus moving forward.