Senator Coons Questions Secretary on Ukraine Funding and Defense Appropriations

Concerns Over Continuing Resolutions

• ⚠️ A full-year continuing resolution is stated as never preferable for the Department of Defense, as it lowers buying power and hinders long-term industry investments.
• 🤝 Commitment is expressed to work with Congress to achieve full-year appropriations to meet current and future threats.
• 🏛️ Concern is raised that governing by continuing resolution, reconciliation, and rescission undermines Congress's role and increases risk.

Ukraine War and Russian Aggression

• 🎯 Vladimir Putin shows no serious intent to negotiate, continuing attacks on civilian targets.
• 🇺🇦 Ukrainians have conducted successful attacks against military targets, highlighting the ongoing conflict.
• 💰 A request to eliminate aid to Ukraine in 2026 is noted as concerning, contrasting with bipartisan Senate efforts for more sanctions on Russia and aid for Ukraine.

US and European Roles in Ukraine Support

• 🌍 The statement that European allies cannot freeload off the United States in perpetuity is addressed.
• 🤝 European allies and partners have provided significant military support, material, and financial aid to Ukraine, with many suffering combat casualties alongside the US in Afghanistan.
• ✈️ The message sent by not using remaining presidential drawdown authority for air defense and interceptors for Ukraine is questioned.
• 🗣️ A call for "tough love" to encourage European nations to build real defense capabilities and contribute more significantly to collective security.

Strategic Disadvantage and Peace Through Strength

• 🛡️ The importance of additional sanctions to pressure Russia for a just and lasting peace is discussed.
• 🇺🇸 The US should not abandon Ukraine, as doing so would create a significant strategic disadvantage.
• 💪 "Peace through strength" is defined as continuing to support Ukraine and securing a lasting peace, with the belief that Putin will only stop when confronted.
• 🤝 A stronger NATO is seen as crucial, and a significant investment in collective security is a great investment, but abandoning Ukraine is not an option.