GOP 2024 hopefuls divided over US role in Ukraine war | CNN Politics
But those hopefuls are split into two camps: Isolationists, particularly former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who believe the United States is too involved in supporting Ukraine’s efforts to fend off the Russian invasion; and hawks, including several former Trump administration officials, who argue for an even more aggressive posture toward Russia. Both sides are warning that if their positions aren’t heeded, a world war could follow.
Donald Trump: “World War III has never been closer than it is right now,” pledging to “clean house of all of the warmongers and America-Last globalists in the Deep State, the Pentagon, the State Department, and the national security industrial complex.” About President Biden, “If you watch and understand the moves being made by Biden on Ukraine, he is systematically, but perhaps unknowingly, pushing us into what could soon be WORLD WAR III.”
Ron DeSantis: “I don’t think it’s in our interest to be getting into a proxy war with China, getting involved over things like the Borderlands or over Crimea,” referring to what Russia has taken over in a Fox & Friends interview. He said that Ukraine was “really wounded” and suffered “tremendous, tremendous losses”.
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Nikki Haley: “If we win this fight for freedom it will send a signal to every enemy we have. If we lose this fight for freedom, Russia has said Poland and the Baltics are next and then we’ve got a world war.”
Mike Pence: the US has “got to stay in the fight” against Russia, and “We are involved in a proxy war against the Soviet Union, the Ukrainians are fighting it. And I really believe that it is essential that we see it through. We demand our European allies do more than their share because it is their front yard. But I think it is absolutely essential that after a slow start in providing support to the Ukrainian military by the Biden administration, we’re now providing that support. But let’s get them what they need, the tanks, let’s get them the F-16s and support them as they finish this fight.”
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson: JB's trip to Ukraine was “a great moment for America,” and that “We need to applaud this. This is a good moment for our country, and in those that respect, freedom and sovereignty, and those that are fighting against oppression.”
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Congressional Republicans are split, though with most of them supporting the war effort.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia: JB's visit is an “America last” policy, and she tweeted “This is incredibly insulting. Today on our President’s Day, Joe Biden, the President of the United States chose Ukraine over America, while forcing the American people to pay for Ukraine’s government and war.”
Greene was one of 11 House Republicans who co-sponsored a “Ukraine Fatigue” resolution earlier this month. The resolution called for suspending military and financial aid to Ukraine.
Other House Republicans have urged Biden to increase support for Ukraine.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, pledged GOP support for Ukraine and NATO and argued for boosting military spending. He also insisted Republicans are committed to global leadership.
“Don’t look at Twitter. Look at the people in power, like me and Speaker Kevin McCarthy,” he said.
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said in a statement he was “very pleased” Biden visited Ukraine.
“This was the right signal to send at the right time,” Graham said.
