This is the transcript from an interview with GOP Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, which aired on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on February 16, 2025.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Joining us now is Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, appearing from the Munich Security Conference. Senator, you shared the stage with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy on Friday, where you discussed the future of U.S. and Ukraine security cooperation. He expressed hopes that President Trump will assist Ukraine. Can Congress play a role? Can senators like yourself provide any guarantees that U.S. support in Ukraine’s battle against Russia will persist?
SEN. JEANNE SHAHEEN: We had bipartisan participation alongside President Zelenskyy, with two Democrats and two Republicans, and I think it’s safe to say we unanimously support Ukraine in its ongoing fight against Russia. We are committed to holding Vladimir Putin accountable and providing Ukraine with as much leverage as possible before any negotiations to resolve the conflict begin.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Regarding negotiations, President Trump made several remarks this week, as did his Defense Secretary, which have garnered significant attention from our European allies. The Defense Secretary mentioned that reverting to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is unrealistic and suggested that parts of eastern Ukraine and Crimea may be absorbed by Russia. What do you think accounts for this willingness to make concessions before negotiations are underway?
SEN. SHAHEEN: It seems like mixed signals are coming from the administration. On one hand, Secretary Hegseth indicated that NATO could be off the table, and that Ukraine should concede territory. Conversely, Vice President Vance mentioned that all options, including the potential deployment of troops in Ukraine, are still on the table. I hope the net effect is a strong commitment to support Ukraine.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Concerning Congress’s actions, are you restricted here? Are some of your Republican colleagues open to incorporating support for Ukraine into an upcoming defense bill?
SEN. SHAHEEN: That is one possibility. We are actively discussing statements regarding the repossession of Russian assets held in the U.S. and Europe, stressing the importance of directing those resources toward aiding Ukraine—not only in military efforts but also for rebuilding. There is strong bipartisan backing to ensure Russia’s assets are reimbursed to Ukraine, as Russia is clearly the aggressor, and we must hold Putin accountable.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Your Republican counterpart, Roger Wicker, Chair of the Armed Services Committee, was quite pointed in his remarks at Munich. He expressed confusion and concern over the Defense Secretary’s comments on Ukraine. He stated that Putin’s actions are reminiscent of Adolf Hitler’s tactics. Such remarks are particularly striking given President Trump’s desire to potentially meet with Putin and bring him to the White House.
SEN. SHAHEEN: Indeed, those remarks are justified and critical, regardless of President Trump’s attempts to pave the way for future negotiations. There is robust bipartisan support in Congress for aiding Ukraine in this unjust war instigated by Russia. Senator Wicker’s sentiments are significant; we must ensure the world understands our commitment to holding Putin and Russia accountable for their actions.
MARGARET BRENNAN: At this conference, you have the opportunity to engage with European leaders. What are their perspectives on America at this moment?
SEN. SHAHEEN: Here in Munich, one of the premier security conferences globally, we are interacting with leaders from various countries, including representatives from the UK, Canada, and Balkan nations, along with President Zelenskyy. There is considerable concern regarding the U.S. stance on Ukraine. During our panel with President Zelenskyy, we emphasized the need for the U.S. and Europe to act in unison to hold Putin accountable through sanctions and maintain a united front. Clearly, that’s exactly what Putin has aimed to undermine throughout this conflict, and it’s essential to convey that we will collaborate and continue to support Ukraine.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Will Congress need to be involved in approving this deal that President Trump is proposing, which involves claiming some critical minerals located in Ukraine? He seems to want to use this as repayment for U.S. military spending.
SEN. SHAHEEN: There could be advantages to U.S. investments in Ukraine as part of a critical minerals agreement. However, it remains unclear who currently possesses these minerals. Some are situated in eastern Ukraine, where Russia exercises control, and others are owned by private oligarchs. These are details that have yet to be clarified, and I have not been briefed on the agreement proposed to President Zelenskyy.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We know that Zelenskyy will be addressing these matters with other members of the administration. However, I’d like to touch upon something else—
SEN. SHAHEEN: He—
MARGARET BRENNAN: Apologies, please continue.
SEN. SHAHEEN: I just wanted to emphasize that during our discussions with President Zelenskyy, we covered the critical issue of ensuring Ukraine’s inclusion in any negotiations regarding its future. President Zelenskyy stressed the importance of the principle that there should be no discussions about Ukraine without Ukraine’s presence. He was reassured by bipartisan senators that we all agree—Ukraine must be integral to any U.S.-Russia negotiations.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The current administration has routinely stressed that Europe needs to take greater responsibility for its own defense and that the U.S. cannot carry that burden alone. Senator Lindsey Graham, who joined you with Zelenskyy, defended President Trump’s recent phone call with Putin, questioning the critics who were not proactive during the earlier stages of the conflict, referencing back to 2014 and the Obama administration. How do you respond to this notion that this discussion was benign, and that earlier concerns about security should have prompted action before now?
SEN. SHAHEEN: We certainly should have taken more decisive action sooner. In 2014, I was part of the faction advocating for providing lethal weaponry to Ukraine to help them defend themselves. Unfortunately, that did not materialize. Now the focus is on how we can ensure they preserve their territorial integrity and prevent Vladimir Putin, or other dictators, from invading countries at will. China and President Xi are closely observing the situation in Ukraine, we’ve seen North Korean troops being deployed, and Iran is taking notes as well. This is not solely a Russia-Ukraine issue; it also impacts other adversaries and serves as a statement that we will support our allies and do whatever it takes to ensure their success, reinforcing that the U.S. is not retreating from these commitments.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I want to discuss China briefly. You, along with your Republican colleague Susan Collins, expressed concern that the so-called buyout program proposed by the Trump administration could jeopardize a Navy shipyard in the Northeast responsible for maintaining submarines, particularly in light of the nuclear threat China poses to the U.S. Have you received any feedback from the Navy, and how serious is this issue?
SEN. SHAHEEN: We have yet to receive a response. Our concerns center around Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which services New Hampshire and Maine—a facility critical for the maintenance and repair of our nuclear submarine fleet. This shipyard gives us a strategic advantage over China. We must ensure that our submarine fleet is well-maintained, operational, and staffed adequately to complete necessary repairs, thereby guaranteeing that our nuclear submarines are effectively patrolling our waters and safeguarding America.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Before we conclude, I need your perspective on the reported freeze on foreign assistance. I know one of your colleagues has halted all nominations for Secretary Rubio’s team at the State Department due to these issues. Do you support this freeze? Is this the best course of action for the nation right now?
SEN. SHAHEEN: I believe it’s crucial to expedite the onboarding of our diplomatic officials. However, what Elon Musk and this administration have done is to unilaterally halt programs providing essential foreign assistance that keep America secure, counteract China, and address ongoing issues like Ukraine. We know that certain aid programs have been suspended, resulting in U.S. agricultural commodities being stranded in ports here and abroad because of stop-work orders. These commodities are paid for yet cannot be distributed due to the freeze. This situation is illogical and inefficient, creating an opening for China and Russia to exploit, while undermining years of trust built through successful foreign assistance efforts.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Thank you for your insights today, Senator Shaheen.
SEN. SHAHEEN: Thank you.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’ll be right back.
