**Trump’s Defense Nominee Grilled Over Ukraine War**
President-elect Donald Trump‘s nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, was questioned about the war in Ukraine during a confirmation hearing on January 14. Hegseth had failed to mention Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in his opening remarks.
Hegseth told the Armed Services Committee that he knows who the aggressor is and who the good guy is. He said he wants to see an end to the war, with conditions advantageous for Ukraine. However, he was asked if the omission was “code for abandoning Ukraine.” Hegseth did not directly answer this question.
**Background on Pete Hegseth**
Hegseth is a former conservative talk show host and infantry captain in the Army National Guard. He has served multiple tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. After his military service, he became head of the conservative organization Concerned Veterans for America.
Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Pentagon sent shockwaves through the department, with officials questioning his qualifications. As defense secretary, Hegseth would oversee 1.3 million troops, a $850 billion budget, and meetings with U.S. allies.
**Other News**
* Ukraine is still focusing on equipping its military rather than reducing the draft age.
* The Ukrainian Air Force will transfer personnel to reinforce ground forces in early 2025.
* Metinvest, Ukraine’s largest steel producer, has suspended operations at a coal mine due to worsening security conditions and power outages.
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