Supports aid to Ukraine: Republicans in US senate elect new leader
Photo: US Senator John Thune (flickr, Gage Skidmore)
The new Republican leader in the US Senate will be John Thune. He supports aid to Ukraine, according to Reuters.
"This Republican team is united behind President Trump's agenda, and our work starts today," Thune stated.
According to Thune’s representative, he won the leadership vote over Senator John Cornyn from Texas. Rick Scott, a close Trump ally, was eliminated in the first round of voting.
Reuters reports that Thune's victory indicates the Senate may retain some degree of independence from Trump next year.
Republicans will hold at least 52 seats in the 100-seat Senate.
What Thune said about Ukraine
Thune has supported bills allocating additional US assistance to Ukraine.
Earlier this year, he emphasized that US leadership in aiding Ukraine is crucial right now.
Thune stressed that the US must ensure Ukraine has the weapons and resources needed to defeat the Russians, as he warned that failing to send American arms could lead to Ukraine’s defeat and potentially require the US to send American soldiers if Russia advances into a NATO country.
Incidentally, Donald Trump has decided to appoint Kristi Noem as the next Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security. She has been critical of US aid to Ukraine.
