U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has strongly rejected accusations that President Donald Trump’s decision to pause military aid to Ukraine is pro-Russia, calling such claims ‘all garbage.’ During a meeting with British Defense Secretary John Healey, Hegseth addressed the criticism head-on, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to fostering peace in the region.\n\nHegseth acknowledged that the pause in aid might appear favorable to Russia but argued that the primary goal was to create conditions conducive to peace. ‘We are watching very closely the front line of troops,’ he explained. ‘But ultimately, we’re interested in creating the conditions for peace.’ He dismissed media narratives, stating that while the press may characterize the administration’s stance as pro-Russia, such claims were unfounded and dismissible.\n\nThe Defense Secretary also defended Trump’s approach to the conflict, asserting that the President was following through on his mandate to bring peace. ‘He is working with both sides in a way that only President Trump can,’ Hegseth remarked. ‘Only President Trump can bring them to the table to end the killing.’\n\nHegseth’s remarks reflect a broader administration narrative emphasizing diplomacy and peace efforts over continued military support, a stance that has drawn criticism from some quarters but which he characterized as necessary for achieving long-term stability in Ukraine.