Several of the highly-buzzed Republican presidential hopefuls have responded to Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s questions pressing their stance on the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.[0]
On Tucker Carlson Tonight, potential and declared candidates have been asked several queries about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including whether the US has any strategic stake in countering Russia’s activities in that country.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis told Carlson, “While the U.S. has many vital national interests — securing our borders, addressing the crisis of readiness within our military, achieving energy security and independence, and checking the economic, cultural, and military power of the Chinese Communist Party — becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia is not one of them.”
He continued: “We cannot prioritize intervention in an escalating foreign war over the defense of our own homeland, especially as tens of thousands of Americans are dying every year from narcotics smuggled across our open border and our weapons arsenals critical for our own security are rapidly being depleted.”[1]
Governor DeSantis’ words echo those of former President Donald Trump in regards to defending the nation from Russia, with Trump stating that it is not of utmost importance to the US, but is essential for Europe.[2]
The now-presidential candidate also warned Biden’s escalated involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war “would risk explicitly drawing the United States into the conflict and drawing us closer to a hot war between the world’s two largest nuclear powers.”[3]
Several other potential candidates also responded to Carlson’s questionnaire, including Vice President Mike Pence, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and entrepreneur Shiva Ramaswamy.
Trump declared that the aim is to “help and secure Europe, but Europe isn’t helping itself,” informing Carlson it is “very unfair” for the U.S. to largely pay the cost, particularly since Europe “takes advantage of us on trade and other things.”[3] DeSantis declared that “peace” is their aim, while Pence informed Carlson that “victory for Ukraine” and the restoration of its sovereignty is the goal.[3] Christie also declared the aim to be “assist Ukraine sufficiently to enable them to defeat Russian forces and restore their sovereignty.[3]“[3]
0. “Further US involvement in Ukraine is not vital national interest” The Jerusalem Post, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.jpost.com/international/article-734253
1. “Ron DeSantis warns Russia’s ‘territorial dispute’ with Ukraine not a top priority for US” Express, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.express.co.uk/news/us/1746012/Ron-DeSantis-Russia-Ukraine-Republican-Party-Donald-Trump-latest-news-dxus
2. “War in Ukraine ‘distracts from our country’s most pressing challenges,’ DeSantis says” msnNOW, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/war-in-ukraine-distracts-from-our-countrys-most-pressing-challenges-desantis-says/ar-AA18AwH6
3. “Republican 2024 hopefuls respond to Tucker Carlson’s questions about their stance on Russia-Ukraine war” msnNOW, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/republican-2024-hopefuls-respond-to-tucker-carlson-s-questions-about-their-stance-on-russia-ukraine-war/ar-AA18ADob?li=BBnbcA1
