GOP Divided Over DeSantis’ Ukraine ‘Territorial Dispute’ Comments

Florida Governor and potential 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis (R) split his party recently over a statement about the Ukraine War.

DeSantis’ Statement: DeSantis’ words came in response to a questionnaire by Tucker Carlson (Right Bias). DeSantis stated that “becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia” was not a vital national interest for the United States.

Criticism From the Right: The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board argued DeSantis was trying to appeal to Donald Trump’s base, warning that “the Governor may want to consider that the political risks on foreign policy aren’t only from the Trumpian right.” The article referenced DeSantis’ past statements in support of Ukraine to warn the potential 2024 candidate, stating, “this could become less a policy issue than a matter of character. What does Ron DeSantis believe, anyway?”

Support From the Right: An opinion article published in Townhall supported DeSantis’ words, arguing that DeSantis “refuses to be dragged along into cheerleading yet another massive foreign policy failure.” The writer stated that DeSantis will be “vindicated by the time he wins the nomination,” at which point the writer believes Americans will sour on Ukraine, stating, “Americans are not pacifists, but they are sick of failure, and that’s what Ukraine is looking to become.”

Criticism From the Left: The Washington Post Editorial Board argued DeSantis’ words “betrays the hollowness of his rhetoric about fighting for ‘freedom’ by turning his back on the most inspiring freedom fighters in the world today.”