NEW YORK POST
Several high-profile Republicans are pushing back Tuesday against Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ argument that helping Ukraine fend off Russia’s invading forces isn’t a vital national interest.
In response to a questionnaire sent by Fox News host Tucker Carlson, DeSantis, who has reportedly told allies in private that he plans to run for president in 2024, declared Monday that “becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia is not” of vital interest to the US.
…Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley also took a swipe at DeSantis Tuesday, accusing the Florida governor of “copying” former President Donald Trump’s stance on Ukraine and mirroring the e-commander in chief in other ways as well.
“President Trump is right when he says Gov. DeSantis is copying him — first in his style, then on entitlement reform, and now on Ukraine,” Haley, who served as Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, said in a statement.
“I have a different style than President Trump, and while I agree with him on most policies, I do not on those. Republicans deserve a choice, not an echo,” Haley added, explaining that “America is far better off with a Ukrainian victory than a Russian victory.”
Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wy.) accused DeSantis of “weakness” Tuesday and of having “forgotten the lessons of Ronald Reagan” in her pointed criticism of his remarks on the Ukraine war.
“The Ukrainian people are fighting for their freedom,” Cheney told the New York Times. “Surrendering to Putin and refusing to defend freedom makes America less safe.