In spite of the evidence that Russia’s aggressive war with Ukraine is accompanied by documented war crime, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis categorized it as a “territorial dispute”. We can pigeon-hole his comments as a display of ignorance and a lack of humanity, but many of DeSantis’ supporters back his views and will say that, if he “misspoke” as a state governor, his unfamiliarity with matters of foreign policy should be excused.
Frankly, if you’ve been to Florida met many of Florida's residents, particularly from DeSantis’ Republican base, you would not be surprised by his attitude.
DeSantis has not yet formally announced that he will run for the Republican nomination. He is nevertheless already unofficially campaigning against, perhaps, the most primitive former U.S. incumbent ever and trying to appeal to that same “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) base of voters. His recent, purported, views on Ukraine are supported by a number of Putin “acolytes” including Tucker Carlson, the conservative political commentator, Tulsi Gabbard, a right-wing former Congresswoman and other fellow- travelers.
In 2014, when a Congressman, DeSantis was critical of President Obama for his failure to act against Russia's aggression in Crimea and the Donbas. His present posture is another example of the political expediency, political amnesia and a lack of integrity that will appeal to the “Trumpshevik” base which makes up almost 50% of the Republican party.
DeSantis behavior is symptomatic of the current U.S. political climate. He is an unprincipled politician within a party that relies upon the support of an electorate that is increasingly accused of being devoid of principles or morality. After all, he is vying for the leadership of a party where the current de facto leader may be indicted for crimes well before the election but promises to run irrespective, and who is currently being accused of malfeasance by a former pornographic actress. What a country!
If Ukrainian Americans Republican supporters, of which there are many in Florida, have any remaining dignity they should immediately take DeSantis to task. He will play up to them for the sake of their support. It is obvious that DeSantis has no really strong feelings on this issue and, if he changes his position to appease his Ukrainian American electorate, at least he will stay with it until it next becomes expedient to change.
Whether we like it or not, President DeSantis will never be as supportive of Ukraine as President Biden has been. Ron DeSantis is a viable presidential contender and, at least he is significantly more astute, better educated and, perhaps, more principled and morally composed than his predecessor.
We have to hope for the best for Ukraine in 2024. Some commentators say the best scenario will be for Trump to be disbarred, for DeSantis to return to Tallahassee and Joe Biden re-elected. In the meantime, Ukrainian American Republicans need to step up and engage with Ron DeSantis so that he can be re-educated in the realities of Ukraine and the threats Russia poses.
The views expressed in this opinion article are the author’s and not necessarily those of Kyiv Post.
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Comments (7)
Wow, calling this an "opinion piece" is one thing, but this is pretty disgusting writing. Honestly, claiming that "if you've been to Florida [and] met many of Florida's residents... you wouldn't be surprised" is simply ridiculous. In Florida as well as everywhere else in the US, Ukraine continues to enjoy broad support from across the political spectrum. The piece then continues to indulge in the most crass character assassination of DeSantis (and of course Trump, who seems to be considered fair game by leftist globally), showing the partisanship of the author.
Frankly, the KP has been publishing way too much of this stuff lately, basically US domestically oriented polemics, that have more to do with the author venting his or her hatred against Republicans rather than being relevant to Ukrainian-US relations and perspectives. Today's ridiculous article though is a sort of high water mark for this foolishness.
As an American Citizen who has been around for a while, it is wrong to call DeSantis unprincipled. He has almost daily, effectively resisted those who would undermine the Constitution and traditional values, and he has taken a lot of heat from the Socialist leaders of the Democrat Party, and the press, which largly leans Socialist. DeSantis is wrong on Ukraine; very wrong. Perhaps he will learn his mistake. As for Trump - Yes he was a primitive, but despite his weakness in speaking, etc, his policies produced economic prosperity in the US, that had not been seen in years, and he was not a war monger. Yes, Trump is wrong about Ukraine. Biden is correct about Ukraine, but he is also starving Ukraine for the weapons it needs, because he is using Ukraine as a pawn to bleed Russia dry - problem is, he is also bleeding ukraine dry by not supplying them with what it needs to win. I doubt he cares about Ukraine at all. Biden is the most corrupt politician since I was born over 70 years ago. He is ok for Ukraine, but a devisive, self enriched crook, in nearly every other aspect. Trump was primitive, at least verbally, but nobody owned him, and he surprised many in his decisions. There is a reason Russia didn't invade Ukraine during the Trump administration - They were afraid of him; he was not predictable like the common batch of US Politicians.
Any politician who states Ukraine and Russia's war is a “territorial dispute” shows their true colours, ignorance and their lack of knowledge outside their own surroundings and complete lack of empathy (the ability to understand and share the feelings of another)....How could anyone believe in and trust this person.
Ron DeSantis just drove the last nail in his coffin to be President of the United States, as well he should have. He is no President-elect Trump. While President-elect Trump called for negotiations that was before the ICC issued their arrest warrant for Putrid for Russia's war crimes. I am hoping President-elect Trump will now call for the complete unconditional surrender of Russia from every square centimeter of Ukrainian soil, including The Crimea.
Why are comments never published? Trolls I get it. But sober thoughts deserve to be read.
@L. Martin, Comments are now being posted in real-time. Over the past month that comments have been accepted the Kyiv Post was moderating the posts. They just lifted their moderation of posts today.
Perfect answer for a prospective Republican Primary contender. He has to beat Trump. Why get in a debate over something that very well could be over before the primary season starts.
@L.Martin, There is overwhelming bipartisan support for Ukraine in Congress, both the Demagogic Cult-controlled Senate and the Republican-controlled House. Ron DeSantis does not have his finger on the pulse of the majority of Americans.
This article is rubbish, full of half-truths and miss leading. The situation is much more complex and convoluted then this article represents.
@sereda, This is an opinion piece. The most important point I derived was the flip-flop on the part of Ron DeSantis. DeSantis is a politician and not a leader. He puts his finger up into the air to see which way the political winds are blowing. He guessed wrong on Ukraine.
@Jack Griffin,
Sorry about the caps