Staff Reports
In a recent interview with Fox News, Republican Florida governor and 2024 presidential nominee Ron DeSantis came to the defense of former President Donald Trump against allegations that he is serving the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin. DeSantis dismissed the notion that Trump is a “lackey” for Putin as false, emphasizing Trump’s strong Russia policy during his time in office.
DeSantis also addressed concerns about Trump’s stance on Ukraine, stating that Trump actually provided significant defensive support for the country. He refuted the idea that Trump wants to be “buddy-buddy” with Putin and emphasized that he has been tough on Russia. While DeSantis acknowledged that there are circles that claim otherwise, he firmly stated that he does not see Trump as being overly friendly with Putin.
VERY HAPPY TO HEAR THIS.
DeSantis Defends Trump’s Record on Russia, Rejects Putin ‘Lackey’ Attacks https://t.co/AHYpXqa2jH via @epochtimes
— MusingDeb (@Deborah39533585) September 18, 2023
The issue of U.S. support for Ukraine has become a major divide among the 2024 presidential candidates, with many Republicans calling for increased support for Ukraine in its conflict against Russia. DeSantis, along with Trump, has hinted at a preference for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, rather than providing additional military aid to Ukraine.
In addition to defending Trump’s stance on Russia and Ukraine, DeSantis also expressed criticism of the criminal indictments against the former president. He cited concerns about voter perception as his reason for challenging Trump for the 2024 presidential nomination, stating that while Trump has a base of supporters, there are other voters who may be turned off by his approach. DeSantis expressed disappointment with the Republican Party’s performance in the 2022 midterms and argued that the party needs to find a new way to unite and win in 2024.
As of now, Trump leads the Republican field in terms of support from party voters, with DeSantis trailing behind in second place. This interview serves as an important moment in DeSantis’ campaign, as he positions himself as a distinct alternative to Trump while still defending his record on Russia and Ukraine.
