Checking the CCP’s Power Is a More Vital US Interest Than Helping Ukraine: DeSantis

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) said Monday that checking the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) power is a more vital U.S. national interest than helping Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

Some of his potential 2024 GOP presidential candidates echoed his comments.

DeSantis has not officially announced his 2024 candidacy, but he made his foreign policy priorities clear in a recent statement criticizing the Biden administration’s approach to the Ukraine–Russia conflict.

In comments Obtained Fox News “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” DeSantis claimed that the U.S. current policy of aiding Ukraine is not in America’s best interest and distracts from other pressing issues.

“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,” DeSantis said.

The governor’s comments came in response to a questionnaire Carlson sent to all potential GOP presidential candidates.

Furthermore, DeSantis criticized President Joe Biden’s policies, which he argued have pushed Russia and China into an alliance, “intentionally depleted” America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves, and empowered Russia’s economy and war capabilities.

“The U.S. should not provide assistance that could require the deployment of American troops or enable Ukraine to engage in offensive operations beyond its borders,” DeSantis noted that “peace should be the objective.”

Anything that leads America into a greater potential “hot war” The world’s great power should be “off the table.”

“That risk is unacceptable,” He stated.

Biden’s Policies Drove the Russia–China Alliance

The Republican governor decried the Biden administration’s “blank check” funding of the Ukraine–Russia conflict without any defined objectives or accountability.

DeSantis also opposed a Russian policy of regime change, which he believes might be popular. “among the DC foreign policy interventionists” However, he maintained that he was the one who made it all possible. “would greatly increase the stakes of the conflict, making the use of nuclear weapons more likely.”

“Such a policy would neither stop the death and destruction of the war, nor produce a pro-American, Madisonian constitutionalist in the Kremlin,” DeSantis said. “History indicates that Putin’s successor, in this hypothetical, would likely be even more ruthless. The costs to achieve such a dubious outcome could become astronomical.”

DeSantis claimed that Russia’s policies led to a de facto alliance between China and the ruling communist regime in China. This has allowed Russia to increase its foreign revenue while China enjoys cheaper fuel.

“Coupled with his intentional depletion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and support for the Left’s Green New Deal, Biden has further empowered Russia’s energy-dominated economy and Putin’s war machine at Americans’ expense,” He stated.

He said that American citizens should be able to see how billions of dollars from the U.S. are being spent in Ukraine.

“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,” DeSantis said.

CCP Threat to Other Candidates

A number of declared and undeclared 2024 presidential hopefuls also named China as the primary threat to the United States.

Vivek Rajaswamy, who declared his candidacy for the GOP nomination back in February, We are highlighting this His foreign policy priorities are centered on China. Ramaswamy believes that the conflict with Ukraine is not an issue of concern for the United States. Instead, it is a reminder about the necessity of U.S. Energy Independence.

“[M]y top two foreign policy priorities are to Declare Independence from Communist China and to annihilate the Mexican drug cartels,” Ramaswamy spoke. “The main thing should be the main thing: focus on China.”

Ramaswamy claimed China seeks to prolong the conflict with Ukraine in order to weaken Western militarist capacity before invading Taiwan.

“It’s working: we think we appear stronger by helping Ukraine, but we actually become weaker vis-à-vis China,” He stated.

If elected, he will “limit” He stated that Ukraine requires additional support or funding.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem declared China communist as the primary “external threat to the United States.”

“Our opposition to Russia has heightened this threat for a number of reasons. One, it’s pushing Russia into an alliance with China—meaning Russia may soon draw from China’s large weapon arsenal,” Noem, said.

“Two, we’re weakening our own military by sending weapons to a corrupt country,” She went on. “And three, we’re taking our eyes off the ball and allowing China to put favors in their bank. This should be Europe’s fight, not ours. We should not waste taxpayer dollars at the risk of nuclear war.”

‘China Is a Risk That Continues to Rise’

Sen. Tim Scott (R.S.C.), who Decried Lack of leadership on domestic matters, suggested that degrading Russia’s military should be a vital U.S. concern before pivoting to China’s growing threat.

“The last point I’d make on the Ukraine front is that China has chosen a side. … They are partnering with Putin, which means it’s enmity with us,” Scott stated. “China is a risk that continues to rise, an adversarial position they have taken against the American people. We should hear what they’re telling us. Believe them and act accordingly.”

Former Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie claimed that America is attempting to assist Ukraine in restoring its sovereignty in the face Russian aggression. But, he claimed that the conflict was being waged against America by the Chinese regime.

“Due to their assistance to Russia and China’s recent action in the Middle East, it would be naive to call this anything but Chinese aggression,” Christie .

Former President Donald Trump, whose comments mainly focused on Ukraine. argued Europe “must pay at least equal to what the U.S. is paying to help Ukraine” Retroactively pay America any difference.

Trump said he would continue to reduce Ukraine’s aid, but not if Russia does. “continues to prosecute the war,” While declaring that he could end the conflict in less time than 24 hours as president,

“It can be done, and it must be done—now!” He stated.

Trump claimed that U.S. sanctions against Russia have made Russia, China and Iran more powerful. “into an unthinkable situation.”