Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the former majority leader who now heads the defense appropriations subcommittee, praised President Donald Trump for announcing the U.S. will resume sending munitions to Ukraine.
Trump told reporters Monday that “we’re going to send some more weapons. We have to. They have to be able to defend themselves. They’re getting hit very hard now,” as The Hill and others reported.
McConnell lauded Trump’s decision in a statement Tuesday, noting that aid to Ukraine began under Trump’s first term. But he had strong words for some Pentagon leaders.
“This time, the President will need to reject calls from the isolationists and restrainers within his Administration to limit these deliveries to defensive weapons,” McConnell said. “And he should disregard those at DOD who invoke munitions shortages to block aid while refusing to invest seriously in expanding munitions production.
“The self-indulgent policymaking of restrainers – from Ukraine to AUKUS – has so often required the President to clean up his staff’s messes. And the budget OMB sent to Congress does not put America on a path to peace through strength.”
AP reported Tuesday that Trump had been caught off guard by the Pentagon’s announcement last week that it was pausing some of the aid.
Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brittany Primavera
