Senator Graham’s Comments Highlight Importance of US Support for Ukraine in Face of Russian Aggression

On Tuesday, Republican senators pushed back against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ recent remarks that US support for Ukraine is not a “vital” national interest. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham told CNN that to say this doesn’t matter is to say that war crimes don’t matter, and that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression will go beyond Ukraine.

DeSantis, who has not yet announced a presidential bid, had made the comments in response to a questionnaire from Fox News’ Tucker Carlson. He said that while the US has many vital national interests, becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia is not one of them.

The comments have exposed a key intraparty fault line ahead of the 2024 election, between security hawks who want to preserve the post-World War II order and a right-wing populist wing seeking to pull back from global affairs. The high-profile remarks by DeSantis, a potential 2024 presidential hopeful who many GOP elites expect to be the main alternative to former President Donald Trump, have intensified the clash.

Senator Graham’s comments have highlighted the importance of US support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. He argued that if the US does not stand up to Putin, then his aggression will go beyond Ukraine.

The debate over US support for Ukraine has become a key issue within the Republican Party ahead of the 2024 election. While some members of the party are advocating for a more restrained approach to global affairs, others are arguing for a more robust US presence in order to protect US interests and stand up to Russian aggression.