Senate Republicans distance themselves from DeSantis comments on Ukraine

Senate Republicans ARedrawing a line between Gov. and them. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), over comments he made regarding the Russia-Ukraine War. These remarks were little more than a remark. “territorial dispute.”

DeSantis stepped out of the way of his fellow GOP members and claimed that Ukraine’s war on Russia, which reached its one-year mark in February, shouldn’t be a major interest for the United States.

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“While the U.S. has many vital national interests … becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia is not one of them,” DeSantis said.

This is one area where the governor and ex-President Donald Trump are not in agreement. Both the GOP presidential candidates and congressional Republicans have criticized both men’s comments.

“It does seem consistent with many of the things we’re hearing on television and certain friends in the Republican Party,” Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) said to the Hill. “But I don’t think that this is a long-game political strategy, and it’s certainly not a long-game national security strategy.”

Tucker Carlson asked DeSantis the question regarding Russia and Ukraine. He was joined by 11 other GOP potential or current candidates. Ex-Vice President Mike Pence, who did not announce that he would be running for president, disagreed. He said it was not a dispute over territory, but an actual conflict. “unprovoked war of aggression by Russia.”

“I really am concerned that he’s — and other members of our party — aren’t prepared to show resolve in this region because it will have broader implications in the Asian Pacific and the Middle East and beyond. This is the one thing that Vladimir Putin seems to be hoping for right now, which is just to outlast the U.S.,” Young spoke out about Desantis’s comments. “It seems plain that if we’re not assisting Ukraine and their efforts right now, we’re going to have NATO treaty allies with the Russian army standing on their border. The security implications of that are grave and could require an even greater expenditure of resources moving forward.”

Other Senate Republicans claim that, despite Trump and DeSantis’ comments, the majority support U.S. efforts in Ukraine aid.

“There are lots of different opinions on the U.S. involvement in Ukraine,” Sen. John Thune (R-SD) said to reporters. “But I think the majority opinion among Senate Republicans is that the United States has a vital national security interest there in stopping Russian aggression, and that’s certainly the view I have.”

Sens. Sens. “completely” Graham stated that he disagreed with DeSantis. “to say this doesn’t matter is to say war crimes don’t matter.”

Some Senate Republicans are open to giving DeSantis a pass over his remarks. On Tuesday, Sen. Marco Rubio (R.FL), stated that DeSantis does not have access. “classified information and the broader context and the arguments for being there.”

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R – IA), told the Hill This is true even though DeSantis might have a stance on Ukraine “a little bit different” His is better. “we’re a big party, and there’s a lot of difference of opinions in it, and you just have to respect those opinions.”

Pew Research’s March poll revealed that 40% of Republicans think that the U.S. is giving Ukraine too much aid, an increase from last March’s 9%.

“I think the party is going more in that direction, and I think they look at polls,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-AL), said that he was supporting Trump. Hill. “I think most of these political people will look at polls and go by what polls are saying. … That’s what politics is about. It’s not really about national security. It’s about getting elected.”

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If the governor decides that he wants to run for president in 2024 it is probable that he won’t make an announcement before the Florida legislative session ends in May. He will likely leave the session with a few key legislative victories that could give him a significant boost in the primaries.

As he stated about Ukraine, his lack in direct foreign policy involvement could be considered a disadvantage, as can his comparison to Trump and Nikki Haley (who served as ambassador to United Nations).