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Controversy Erupts Over Comments Made by Pete Hegseth on Ukraine
Roger Wicker, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized Pete Hegseth for what he called a “rookie mistake” regarding Hegseth’s statements about Ukraine made during a recent speech at NATO headquarters.
Wicker, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, had previously defended Hegseth amid allegations concerning Hegseth’s drinking habits while on the job. However, the tone changed dramatically following the defense secretary’s comments, suggesting that Ukraine would never recover as it once was and should let go of its aspirations for NATO membership.
“Hegseth is destined to be an effective defense secretary, even though he wasn’t my initial pick,” the Mississippi Republican stated in comments to Politico. “Yet, he certainly made an error in Brussels and has retracted some of his claims, but not that particular statement.”
During his speech, Hegseth suggested that Ukraine might have to give up on its goal of reclaiming all territory occupied by Russia. His remarks indicated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should abandon hopes for NATO membership, which gave the impression of a shift in U.S. policy closer to that of the Kremlin.
Wicker further criticized the speech, saying, “I’m uncertain who drafted it—it had the flavor of something Tucker Carlson could have penned, and Carlson’s views are misguided.” This comment alluded to Carlson’s previous interviews with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite his criticism, Wicker acknowledged that Hegseth later softened his earlier remarks, expressing relief over this retraction. He emphasized the need for the U.S. to maintain a strong negotiating position going into discussions regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
This incident unfolded as former President Trump had been in communication with both Zelensky and Putin, mentioning a potential resolution to the ongoing conflict. Trump stated that there was a “good possibility of ending that horrible, very bloody war.”
Wicker, illustrating a more conventional Republican view, labeled Putin as a “war criminal who should be imprisoned for life.”
In contrast to Trump’s positions, Wicker firmly rejected the notion of Russia rejoining the G7, stating, “In this conflict, there are clear distinctions between good and evil. The Russians are the aggressors.” He further remarked on the necessity for Russia to face repercussions, emphasizing that Ukraine is entitled to the international commitments made in its favor.
Compounding the situation, Vice President JD Vance issued a stark warning to Russia, suggesting the U.S. might consider deploying military personnel to Ukraine if Putin does not engage in negotiations that ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty. This directly contradicted Hegseth’s earlier assertion that U.S. troops would not become involved, leaving Hegseth to clarify and retreat from his initial comments in the face of significant backlash.
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