Trump’s nominee for top U.S. military post backs ongoing aid to Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump’s new pick for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired Air Force Lieutenant General John Caine, said on Tuesday that Ukraine “has the right to self-defense” and called for continued American military aid to Kyiv.

Retired Lieutenant General John Caine, President Trump's nominee for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testifies during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, 01 April 2025. Caine has not served in any roles legally required to be nominated, but President Trump may waive the

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Caine told lawmakers his stance deters “further Russian aggression” and ensures Ukraine can negotiate from a position of strength.

Trump fired Air Force General Charles Q. Brown in February, nominating Caine to fill the nation’s highest-ranking military role, which advises the president, defense secretary, and National Security Council.

During a confirmation hearing before the Senate, Caine stressed that Washington should concentrate on providing capabilities “only the U.S. can offer” while encouraging Europe to shoulder a bigger share of support.

He warned, however, that even though Russia’s conventional forces have been worn down by a three-year war in Ukraine, Moscow still has “asymmetric” tools at its disposal short of outright military conflict.

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Source: The Kyiv Independent, TVP