New Hampshire GOP Gov. Chris Sununu, a potential 2024 presidential contender, says some Republicans have 'lost their moral compass' on foreign policy
"As Republicans, we should support freedom, not abandon it," Sununu wrote in a Washington Post op-ed where he articulated a strong defense of Ukraine.
New Hampshire GOP Gov. Chris Sununu heaped criticism on some of his fellow Republicans regarding foreign affairs, pushing back against Republicans who have questioned the need to continue aiding Ukraine in their fight against Russia and arguing that the United States "has a duty to limit authoritarian and tyrannical aggression."
Sununu, a potential 2024 presidential contender who was reelected to a fourth term last November, wrote an opinion article for The Washington Post where he articulated that the non-interventionist "America First" policy pushed by former President Donald Trump did not mean "America Only."
The governor argued that the interests of the United States were best served by robustly opposing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, directly calling out remarks made by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that the conflict was a "territorial dispute."
"Russia is engaged in a war against an innocent people, and it must be condemned," Sununu wrote. "The United States of America is the greatest country on Earth, and we must stand with our allies around the globe to fight aggressive and dangerous regimes that threaten freedom wherever they are."
"Simply opposing aid to Ukraine because President Biden supports it is not a viable foreign policy," he continued to say. "To abandon Ukraine would set off a negative chain of events for US interests domestically and abroad. Vladimir Putin is knocking at NATO's doorstep, and without our support — and the support of our European allies — Ukraine will fall, resulting in far graver problems for the United States: conflict across Europe."
Sununu proceeded to take another swipe at Trump in seeking to shift the party's foreign policy in a more Reaganesque direction.
"Some in the Republican Party have lost their moral compass on foreign policy, as evidenced by former president Donald Trump, who once called Putin's invasion 'genius' and 'savvy,'" the governor wrote.
"As Republicans, we should support freedom, not abandon it. We must not equivocate, but rather lead with strength and courage in the mold of Ronald Reagan," he added.
Some Republicans have pointed to the rising cost of the conflict in voicing their frustrations with aiding Ukraine, as Congress last year appropriated over $113 billion in aid and military equipment for the country and allied nations last year.
Sununu emphasized that accountability in government spending was always necessary, but said there would be dire consequences for not adequately assisting in Ukraine's efforts against Moscow.
"There should never be blank checks when it comes to government funding, and all tax dollars must be spent and accounted for wisely," he wrote. "Yet the price the United States is paying in Ukraine today is far less than the price we will face if Putin continues his westward march, threatening the sovereignty and security of NATO."
Sununu, a potential 2024 presidential contender who was reelected to a fourth term last November, wrote an opinion article for The Washington Post where he articulated that the non-interventionist "America First" policy pushed by former President Donald Trump did not mean "America Only."
The governor argued that the interests of the United States were best served by robustly opposing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, directly calling out remarks made by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that the conflict was a "territorial dispute."
"Russia is engaged in a war against an innocent people, and it must be condemned," Sununu wrote. "The United States of America is the greatest country on Earth, and we must stand with our allies around the globe to fight aggressive and dangerous regimes that threaten freedom wherever they are."
"Simply opposing aid to Ukraine because President Biden supports it is not a viable foreign policy," he continued to say. "To abandon Ukraine would set off a negative chain of events for US interests domestically and abroad. Vladimir Putin is knocking at NATO's doorstep, and without our support — and the support of our European allies — Ukraine will fall, resulting in far graver problems for the United States: conflict across Europe."
Sununu proceeded to take another swipe at Trump in seeking to shift the party's foreign policy in a more Reaganesque direction.
"Some in the Republican Party have lost their moral compass on foreign policy, as evidenced by former president Donald Trump, who once called Putin's invasion 'genius' and 'savvy,'" the governor wrote.
"As Republicans, we should support freedom, not abandon it. We must not equivocate, but rather lead with strength and courage in the mold of Ronald Reagan," he added.
Some Republicans have pointed to the rising cost of the conflict in voicing their frustrations with aiding Ukraine, as Congress last year appropriated over $113 billion in aid and military equipment for the country and allied nations last year.
Sununu emphasized that accountability in government spending was always necessary, but said there would be dire consequences for not adequately assisting in Ukraine's efforts against Moscow.
"There should never be blank checks when it comes to government funding, and all tax dollars must be spent and accounted for wisely," he wrote. "Yet the price the United States is paying in Ukraine today is far less than the price we will face if Putin continues his westward march, threatening the sovereignty and security of NATO."
