**US Senate Confirmation Hearing for Tulsi Gabbard**
Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump‘s nominee to lead the US national intelligence agency, faced questions about her views on foreign affairs and Russia during a Senate confirmation hearing.
Gabbard has been accused of sharing Russian propaganda in the past. In 2022, she said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could have been avoided if NATO had acknowledged Russia’s security concerns. However, when asked by Senator Jerry Moran if Russia would “get a pass” from her, Gabbard replied, “Senator, I’m offended by the question.”
She claimed that her focus is on US national security and interests, and that no country or individual will be given special treatment.
Gabbard was also questioned about her 2017 meeting with Syrian dictator Bashar al–Assad. Some senators expressed outrage at her visit to Assad, who has been accused of human rights abuses. Gabbard defended the meeting, saying it was an opportunity to ask “tough questions.”
**Other Developments in Ukraine**
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said that a Slovak citizen is being held on suspicion of threatening national security.
A Russian drone attack injured two people in Pokrovsk.
The Ukrainian company Huless secured over $1 million in funding for its tethered drone systems.
Nova Poshta, Ukraine’s largest private delivery company, invested Hr 1.8 billion ($43 million) to expand its network in 2024.
**International Reactions**
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called President Volodymyr Zelensky “the enemy” of Slovakia, prompting a strong response from Ukraine.
A new poll found that half of Poles believe Ukraine should not join NATO or the EU until the issue of exhuming massacre victims is resolved.