Nikki Haley, a Republican presidential contender, compares one of her prospective opponents to former President Donald Trump.
The former United Nations ambassador condemned Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ response to a question about U.S. policy towards Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Haley agreed with Trump’s assertions that DeSantis is only repeating his positions, distancing her own position from that of GOP heavyweights.
“President Trump is right when he says Governor DeSantis is copying him — first in style, then on entitlement reform, and now on Ukraine,” she said.
“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.”
Big if true! via @NikkiHaley pic.twitter.com/wAdSMhmIiP
— Steak for Breakfast (@SteakforPodcast) March 14, 2023
Haley further called Russia “a powerful dictatorship that makes no secret of its hatred of America,” according to The Washington Post.
“Unlike other anti-American regimes, it is attempting to brutally expand by force into a neighboring pro-American country.”
Tucker Carlson of Fox News urged that DeSantis issue a comment about the continuation of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, which he did.
“While the U.S. has many vital national interests — securing our borders, addressing the crisis of readiness within our military, achieving energy security and independence, and checking the economic, cultural, and military power of the Chinese Communist Party — becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia is not one of them,” DeSantis stated.
Tucker Carlson requested that potential GOP presidential candidates clarify their positions on U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Kristi Noem, Greg Abbott, Tim Scott, and Chris Christie provided responses.
Here's what they said. pic.twitter.com/zT5OvNAAxS
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 14, 2023
In response to Carlson’s query, Trump said he would have averted Russia’s invasion as president, while keeping the door open for future military help to Ukraine.
According to CBS News, the former president stated that future supplies to the country will rely on the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Haley’s criticism of DeSantis is the latest in a pattern of Republican candidates attacking the Florida governor, who is seen as Trump’s most formidable opponent for the nomination.
According to Politico, Republicans such as former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu attacked DeSantis’ views on Ukraine at public appearances this month.
DeSantis has not officially declared his presidential candidacy.