He denounced as futile the economic embargo against Russia-and baselessly insinuated that Ukraine is squandering U.S. He endorsed and propagated the fantasy-routinely advanced by pro-Putin guests on Fox talk shows-that the Biden administration is somehow plotting “regime change” in Moscow. He conceded the Russian argument that American aid to Ukraine amounts to direct involvement in the conflict. He accepted the present Russian line that Putin’s occupation of Ukraine is a mere “territorial dispute.” He endorsed “peace” as the objective without regard to the terms of that peace, another pro-Russian talking point. The governor began by listing America’s “vital interests” in a way that explicitly excluded NATO and the defense of Europe. So last night, DeSantis delivered a more definitive answer on Tucker Carlson’s Fox News show.ĭeSantis’s statement on Ukraine was everything that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his admirers could have wished for from a presumptive candidate for president. When a reporter for The Times of London pressed the governor, DeSantis scolded him: “Perhaps you should cover some other ground? I think I’ve said enough.”Įven his allies found this medley of past hawkishness and present evasiveness worrying-especially because he was on record, in 20, urging the Obama administration to send both “defensive and offensive” weapons to Ukraine after the Russian annexation of Crimea.
(Musk returned the favor by endorsing DeSantis for president.) On tour this month to promote his new book, DeSantis has clumsily evaded questions about the Russian invasion. He has not praised, or even acknowledged, their work in any public statement.ĭeSantis did find time, however, to admonish Ukrainian officials in October for not showing enough gratitude to new Twitter owner Elon Musk. When they returned to Florida in August, DeSantis did not greet them. They were evacuated in February 2022 to continue their mission in neighboring countries. On the eve of the Russian invasion, 165 Florida National Guard members were stationed on a training mission in Ukraine. F lorida Governor Ron DeSantis has long sought to avoid taking a position on Russia’s war in Ukraine.
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