Current:Home > NewsGOP senators push back on Ron DeSantis over Ukraine -USAMarket
GOP senators push back on Ron DeSantis over Ukraine
View
Date:2025-04-15 04:05:54
Washington — Republican senators on Wednesday pushed back on comments made by Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida declaring that the United States' continued support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia is not a "vital" national interest.
"It's a misunderstanding of the situation," Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina told reporters on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. "This is not a territorial conflict, it's a war of aggression."
"To say it doesn't matter is to say war crimes don't matter," Graham added.
DeSantis, who is widely expected to run for president in 2024, made the comments on Monday in response to a questionnaire from Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Carlson sent out questionnaires to potential Republican presidential candidates about the war in Ukraine.
"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 Community Party — becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia is not one of them," DeSantis' statement said.
Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said he disagreed with DeSantis.
"I think that we have to look bigger than just a conflict in Ukraine," Tillis said. "There's a humanitarian crisis. There are war crimes being committed."
Sen. John Thune of South Dakota said he also had a "different view" than DeSantis.
"I would argue, and I think the majority of people in this country recognize how important it is, that Ukraine repel Russia," Thune said.
Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana said he hadn't seen DeSantis' remarks, but declared, "We need to stop Putin."
Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota said the perspective was a "concern," but added that access to classified briefings could change things. "There's going to be an educational process," he said. "Any one of the individuals who has an interest in working as the next president of the United States really needs to get a full briefing before they decide to make up their minds on this particular issue."
DeSantis' stance aligns him with former President Donald Trump and puts him at odds with other top Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has said he is supportive of continued military and financial aid to Ukraine.
When asked if the governor's viewpoint could become a dominant narrative with Republican presidential candidates, Tillis said, "It could be, and it's not one that I'm buying."
Aaron Navarro contributed to this report.
- In:
- Ukraine
- Ron DeSantis
Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital. Reach her at caitlin.yilek@cbsinteractive.com. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hausofcait
TwitterveryGood! (998)
Related
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Live updates | Israel’s allies step up calls for a halt to the assault on Gaza
- Klarna CEO Siemiatkowski says buy now, pay later is used by shoppers who otherwise avoid credit
- Southwest Airlines reaches $140 million settlement for December 2022 flight-canceling meltdown
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- September 2023 in photos: USA TODAY's most memorable images
- Russian opposition leader Navalny fails to appear in court as allies search for him in prison system
- Houston Texans channel Oilers name to annihilate Tennessee Titans on social media
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Entering a new 'era'? Here's how some people define specific periods in their life.
Ranking
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Hundreds of residents on Indonesian island protest the growing arrival of Rohingya refugees by sea
- Hostages were carrying white flag on a stick when Israeli troops mistakenly shot them dead in Gaza, IDF says
- May 2023 in photos: USA TODAY's most memorable images
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- Así cuida Bogotá a las personas que ayudan a otros
- 'Trevor Noah: Where Was I': Release date, trailer, how to watch new comedy special
- A Black woman was criminally charged after a miscarriage. It shows the perils of pregnancy post-Roe
Recommendation
Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
Colombia’s leftist ELN rebels agree to stop kidnapping for ransom, at least temporarily
36 días perdidos en el mar: cómo estos náufragos sobrevivieron alucinaciones, sed y desesperación
Despite GOP pushback, Confederate monument at Arlington National Cemetery to be removed
Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
From emotional support to business advice, winners of I Love My Librarian awards serve in many ways
The power of blood: Why Mexican drug cartels make such a show of their brutality
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts questionable with illness; Darius Slay, two others out vs. Seahawks