DeSantis warns of escalation in Ukraine, urges U.S. against ‘proxy war’
NEW YORK (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis weighed in on American foreign policy before giving a pro-law enforcement speech in Staten Island, warning the U.S. to not engage in “proxy war,” which he said could escalate.
On aid to Ukraine, DeSantis said the Biden administration should be more concerned about the American border with Mexico rather than Ukraine’s border with Russia.
“He’s very concerned about those borders halfway around the world. He’s not done anything to secure our own border here at home,” DeSantis said.
“And then of course, we just suffered a national humiliation of having China fly a spy balloon clear across the continental United States. So we have a lot of problems accumulating here in our own country that he is neglecting.”
On America’s military interventions, DeSantis said the Biden administration should reverse its “blank-check policy” to Ukraine because it has no “clear strategic objective identified.”
“These things can escalate, and I don’t think it’s in our interest to be getting into proxy war – with China getting involved – over things like the border lands, or over Crimea,” he said. “I think it would behoove them to identify what is the strategic objective they’re trying to achieve.”
“Just saying it’s an open ended blank check that is not acceptable,” DeSantis said.
The governor was asked what a “win” would look like for Ukraine.
“The fear of Russia going into NATO countries [and] steamrolling – you know, that has not even come close to happening. I think they’ve shown themselves to be a third rate military power,” he said.
“I think they’ve suffered tremendous, tremendous losses. I gotta think that the people in Russia are probably disapproving of what’s going on. I don’t think they can speak up about it for obvious reasons.”
DeSantis downplayed the threat of Russia to the U.S. in comparison to China.
“I don’t think that they are the same threat to our country, even though they’re hostile. I don’t think they’re on the same level as a China.”
DeSantis’ comments came amidst President Joe Biden’s “surprise” visit to Ukraine as Russia’s invasion continues.
The Biden administration has committed more than $24 billion to Ukraine, the Department of Defense said earlier this year.
The foreign policy questions were accompanied by additional questions about DeSantis’ speculated 2024 presidential run. Watch his full response below:
