Sen. Josh Hawley, the Missouri Republican, is asking the Biden administration to drop its support of Ukraine’s membership to NATO. In doing so, he’s acceding to a demand issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Given the GOP’s longtime commitment to Ukraine – and countering Russian aggression there – Hawley’s position is stunning. But in recent years, a certain ilk within the Republican Party – fueled by cable news populist like Tucker Carlson – has downplayed Russian aggression and insisted that the U.S. doesn’t have strong interests in the region.
Axios reports:
Ahead of a pair of all-member Ukraine briefings for the House and Senate on Thursday, Hawley is asking for “clarity” from Secretary of State Antony Blinken on how Ukraine’s future membership in NATO would serve U.S. interests, according to a letter obtained by Axios.
If Ukraine joins NATO, other member nations – including the U.S. – are obligated to come to its defense in case it’s attacked.
For months, Russia has openly flirted with the idea of invading their neighbor. Putin claims he’ll refrain from starting a war if NATO promises never to admit Ukraine.
But, Axios explains, “Former President George W. Bush and all NATO leaders agreed at the 2008 Bucharest Summit that Ukraine and Georgia “will become” members of the alliance — though no specific roadmap was offered at the time.”
Axios adds that Hawley thinks an increased commitment to Ukraine will prevent the U.S. from countering China.
Hawley’s position drew the ire of Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who tweeted our quote of the day. We cleaned up two spelling errors.
I hate to be so personal, but Hawley is one of the worst human beings, and a [self-aggrandizing] con artist. When Trump goes down I certainly hope this evil will be [laid] in the open for all to see, and be ashamed of.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger
At Tuesday’s White House press briefing, press secretary Jen Psaki added, “If you are digesting Russian misinformation and parroting Russian talking points, you are not aligned with … American values.”
