Fox News: Trump and Desantis urged to cut aid to UkrainePossible Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ron Desantis answered Fox News columnist Tucker Carlson how, in their opinion, America should respond to the Ukrainian crisis.
They called for cutting aid to Kiev and increasing Europe's involvement in resolving the conflict.
Joseph WolfsonFox News anchor Tucker Carlson sent out a questionnaire of six questions to the Republican presidential candidates about their position on Ukraine — and here's what they answered.
Last week, the Fox News host asked these questions to both official candidates and a number of prominent Republicans who somehow hinted at participating in the 2024 presidential race.
The questionnaire includes the following questions:
- Is it possible to call the opposition of Russia in Ukraine a vital and strategic interest of America?
- What exactly is our goal in Ukraine, and how will we know that we have achieved it?
- What is the funding limit and the limit of military assistance to the Government of Ukraine?
- Should the US support regime change in Russia?
- Since Russia's economy and currency are stronger now than before the outbreak of hostilities, do you think American sanctions are effective?
- And finally, do you think America is in danger of a nuclear war with Russia?
Carlson's request was answered by two of the three already announced presidential candidates (former President Trump and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy), as well as former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Governor Ron Desantis, South Dakota Governor Christie Noem, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christy.
Former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, the only one of the announced candidates, refused to answer Carlson's questionnaire. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson hinted at a willingness to run, but Carson also did not respond. Former National Security adviser John Bolton declined to comment.
1. Is it possible to call the opposition of Russia in Ukraine a vital and strategic interest of America?
Trump: "Not for us, but for Europe, yes," adding that European allies "must pay a price much higher than us, or at least comparable."
Desantis: "The United States has a lot of vital national interests, but getting even deeper into the territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia is definitely not one of them."
Noem called China, not Russia, the main external threat to the United States, and noted that the conflict in Ukraine "should become the struggle of Europe, not ours."
Ramaswamy believes that it is not necessary to oppose Russia, but stressed that it is vital for the United States to achieve energy independence. He believes that if Europe had purchased American oil and gas instead of Russian, hostilities could have been avoided.
Pence quoted the so-called "Reagan doctrine", which implies countering enemies on their own shores. According to him, this will prevent direct American intervention: "There is no place for Putin's apologists in the Republican Party. This is not an American conflict, but if Putin is not stopped and sovereign Ukraine does not recover in the near future, he will continue to move towards our NATO allies, and then America will have to send its troops."
Scott called the degradation of the Russian armed forces a vital interest of the United States. Christie said: "Russian aggression against Ukraine is a national security issue that threatens our allies and our standing in the world." According to him, this is "an indirect conflict that China, Russia's ally, is waging against the United States," and that it would be naive to consider this something other than Chinese aggression.
Abbott did not answer this question specifically.
2. What exactly is our goal in Ukraine and how will we understand that we have achieved it?
Trump believes that the goal is "to help secure Europe," but noted that "Europe does not help itself." In his opinion, it is "very unfair" that the bills are paid mainly by the United States, and Europe "uses us in trade and other areas."
Desantis said that the goal is "peace," and Pence said that "Ukraine's victory" and the restoration of its sovereignty.
Christie agreed with him: in his opinion, the goal is "to help Ukraine so that it defeats Russian troops and restores sovereignty."
Ramaswamy said that the goal is "to comply with all past contractual obligations of the United States," while emphasizing the Budapest Memorandum, which established the sovereignty of Ukraine. At the same time, he added that the United States has already achieved one of its goals by exposing Vladimir Putin as a "paper tiger" with a weak military potential. However, two other tasks remain unresolved — to keep Putin from future aggression and to inspire Europeans that it's time to take care of themselves on their own.
Noem did not specifically outline the goal in Ukraine, but noticed: "If our president had sought peace by force, Putin would never have dared to enter Ukraine."
Neither Abbott nor Scott have formulated a specific goal.
3. What is the funding limit and the limit of military assistance to the Government of Ukraine?
Desantis said that the United States "should not provide assistance that could entail sending American troops or allow Ukraine to participate in offensive operations outside the country," adding that the transfer of F-16 fighter jets and long-range missiles "is not discussed." He added: "Our citizens have the right to know what billions of dollars from the American treasury are going to in Ukraine."
Ramaswamy promised during his presidency to "limit further funding and support for Ukraine," adding that "a much greater contribution" will have to be made by the European allies, since this is "their backyard and their borders."
Noem said: "We should not spend budget funds risking a nuclear war." And added: "We have already provided excessive support to Ukraine."
Trump replied that it would "greatly depend" on his meeting with Putin, but stressed that Europe "has to fork out."
Pence said that he does not support "carte blanche for Ukraine", but warned that "the refusal of further support or its reduction is fraught with consequences" and that "the price will be much higher" if Putin invades the territory of NATO allies.
Abbott criticized Biden's foreign policy with its "bearer checks": "We are pumping Ukraine with money without an explicit purpose and any accountability and are clearly failing." "Before sending new money and funds to Ukraine, Biden must ensure compliance with immigration laws and guarantee the security of our southern border," he added.
Scott called for "accountability for every dollar spent" and warned that counting on carte blanche is no longer worth it. Christie did not comment on the restrictions on funding and material assistance, but noted: "We must help our democratic allies defend themselves."
4. Should the US support regime change in Russia?
Trump and Ramaswamy categorically said no.
Noem replied: "Not now," warning of the destabilization of Europe and nuclear escalation.
Desantis criticized the regime change policy, saying that it is "popular in the circles of Washington interventionists" and suggested that Putin's successor "will certainly be even tougher."
Pence also offered to ask the question to the Russians themselves.
Christie believes that support for Ukraine "is dictated not by regime change in Russia, but by respect for the sovereignty of free nations."
Scott didn't answer that question.
5. Since Russia's economy and currency are stronger now than before the outbreak of hostilities, do you think American sanctions are effective?
Trump responded: "Nothing like that. Just the opposite."
"Obviously not,— Ramaswamy said. "On the contrary, Russia has become stronger due to high oil and gas revenues against the background of increased prices."
Desantis said that by its policy, the Biden administration "essentially pushed Russia into an alliance with China," and since China does not comply with any embargoes, "Moscow has strengthened its foreign revenues, and Beijing benefits from cheap fuel." Noem said that the US "abuses financial sanctions as a deterrent weapon," and added that "sanctions against China, Iran and Russia have strengthened the Russian ruble and allowed Beijing to establish trade in yuan instead of dollars."
Pence disagreed with the very formulation of the question: he believes that "Russia's economy and currency are not stronger than before the conflict." Moreover, he assured that in reality the Russian economy "went into a tailspin," and the ruble "is kept afloat thanks to extremely costly measures against the background of sanctions." He also added that Russia is "supported by China," and without its help, "Putin's money may run out by 2024."
Neither Abbott, Scott, nor Christie answered this question.
6. Do you think America is in danger of a nuclear war with Russia?
Trump responded: "It depends on who will be the president of the United States," and added that under Biden it is "an unambiguous risk."
Noem also criticized the Biden administration for its rapid steps up the escalatory ladder and a series of provocative actions and statements: "We have never been so close to using tactical nuclear weapons before as we are now."
Desantis warned that the escalation of American involvement "threatens to draw the United States directly into the conflict and will bring us closer to a "hot" war between the largest nuclear powers."
Ramaswamy believes that the greater the risk of nuclear war, the stronger China supports Russia. He called on the United States to put aside all "negotiating levers" because Russia "brazenly violated all nuclear arms control treaties," and added that "the global defense establishment should stick its head out of the sand and realize the fact that China is not only not bound by any nuclear weapons treaties, but is also secretly building up its nuclear arsenal."
Pence said that Putin's nuclear threats are "elementary intimidation," and assured that the United States will not fall for it.
Neither Abbott, Scott, nor Christie answered this question.
