The Latest: US ties with Ukraine hit a new low as Trump slights Zelenskyy and eases up on Russia

The U.S.-Ukraine alliance is careening toward a possible breaking point, with Moscow strengthened by President Donald Trump’s recent rejection of new Russia sanctions and Kyiv undermined by disruptions in satellite support for its drones during the war. Trump is meanwhile hoping $5,000 checks can boost Republican turnout in November’s midterm elections — but even some of his devoted fans doubt the government will pay them. The offering has become a go-to tactic for Trump when he faces a political jam.

A federal judge on Monday questioned the Trump administration’s claims about its efforts to redevelop a historic Washington golf course, challenging its contention that a recent tree-cutting spree was not an indication that work was moving forward on the project, which is temporarily blocked by a court order. Here’s the latest: Rubio cites NATO alliances in explaining Ukraine aid Trump has made NATO a political punching bag through both of his presidencies. But his top diplomat cited the post-World War II alliance when explaining Washington’s approach to aiding Ukraine.

Our partners do as well,” Rubio said, as he discussed how the Pentagon and Hegseth weigh approving various weapons sales and transfers. So, Rubio explained, as Hegseth considers transfers to Kyiv, he has to weigh not only what U.S. bases need but what European allies might need, as well.

“We have other large air presences in the region, and then we have minimum requirements,” he said, adding that “it’s part of our NATO presence.” The bottom line, Rubio insisted, is “there has not been some deliberate political directive to go out and harm Ukraine.” In New Hampshire Senate race, Sununu emphasizes independence from Trump Donald Trump as a teen dad? “The way Chris Pappas tells it, I’m President Trump’s long-lost son,” former Republican Sen. Sununu says in a new ad objecting to his opponent’s claims that he is beholden to Trump.

When the president’s policies are bad for New Hampshire, I’ll oppose them,” says Sununu, 62, who is trying to reclaim the seat he lost in 2008. Pappas, a Democrat who currently represents the state’s 1st Congressional District in the House, has highlighted Sununu’s previous comments that his campaign “is important to President Trump’s agenda.” Trump, 80, has five children, the oldest of whom is 48. bases need but what European allies might need, as well.“We have other large air presences in the region, and then we have minimum requirements,” he said, adding that “it’s part of our NATO presence.”The bottom line, Rubio insisted, is “there has not been some deliberate political directive to go out and harm Ukraine.”In New Hampshire Senate race, Sununu emphasizes independence from TrumpDonald Trump as a teen dad?“The way Chris Pappas tells it, I’m President Trump’s long-lost son,” former Republican Sen.