In an interview with Martha Raddatz, an ABC anchor, grilled Vivek Ramaswamy on Sunday about his position on America's involvement in the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Ramaswamy stated that the United States should not continue to devote resources to the conflict because it goes against American interests. He was questioned by Raddatz if he thought that Russia's occupation of Ukraine did not go against American strategic objectives.
You don't believe it would be in our best interests for Russia to annexe Ukraine? Raddatz enquired.
Ramaswamy said that he doesn't think the conflict is in the interests of the United States. The candidate said that although he does not believe Russia should invade Ukraine, America has more pressing foreign policy problems when pressed more about his position on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
"In my opinion, it is not one of our top foreign policy priorities. I do not believe that Russia should have the ability to attack a neighbouring sovereign state. But in my opinion, the president of the United States should represent American interests.
Ramaswamy went on to say that he thought the Sino-Russian alliance was America's "biggest threat." He claimed that by keeping us involved in the war between Russia and Ukraine, China and Russia had grown closer.
"I believe that by intensifying the conflict in Russia and arming Ukraine further, we are pushing Russia into the hands of China. The main threat that we face is the Sino-Russian alliance, and Ramaswamy stated, "I've declared that I would terminate this conflict in exchange for Putin backing out of that pact with China.
Given that prior attempts to influence Putin's decisions have failed, Raddatz questioned the candidate on how he would succeed in doing so. She also questioned if Ramaswamy's suggestion to grant Russia control of the Donbas region of Ukraine would inadvertently encourage the invasion.
"You mentioned wanting to offer him the Donbas. That would be rewarding Putin, wouldn't it? said Raddatz.
"I don't trust Putin, but I do believe that he will act in his own best interests. He doesn't appear to like playing the role of the younger sibling to Xi Jinping. In light of this, Ramaswamy stated, "I believe we need to finish the Ukraine War on peaceful terms that do, indeed, offer some significant concessions to Russia, including freezing the present lines of control in a Korean War-style armistice deal.
Ramaswamy concurred with Raddatz's observation that Ukraine would be against this idea. The candidate said that he would make a "permanent pledge" to Russia to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO.
"But in exchange, Russia must break both its treaty and its military alliance with China. That actually further dissuades China from pursuing Taiwan, which is, in my opinion, a far greater priority for the United States, and better serves American interests, according to Ramaswamy.
Ramaswamy stated that the United States should not continue to devote resources to the conflict because it goes against American interests. He was questioned by Raddatz if he thought that Russia's occupation of Ukraine did not go against American strategic objectives.
You don't believe it would be in our best interests for Russia to annexe Ukraine? Raddatz enquired.
Ramaswamy said that he doesn't think the conflict is in the interests of the United States. The candidate said that although he does not believe Russia should invade Ukraine, America has more pressing foreign policy problems when pressed more about his position on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
"In my opinion, it is not one of our top foreign policy priorities. I do not believe that Russia should have the ability to attack a neighbouring sovereign state. But in my opinion, the president of the United States should represent American interests.
Ramaswamy went on to say that he thought the Sino-Russian alliance was America's "biggest threat." He claimed that by keeping us involved in the war between Russia and Ukraine, China and Russia had grown closer.
"I believe that by intensifying the conflict in Russia and arming Ukraine further, we are pushing Russia into the hands of China. The main threat that we face is the Sino-Russian alliance, and Ramaswamy stated, "I've declared that I would terminate this conflict in exchange for Putin backing out of that pact with China.
Given that prior attempts to influence Putin's decisions have failed, Raddatz questioned the candidate on how he would succeed in doing so. She also questioned if Ramaswamy's suggestion to grant Russia control of the Donbas region of Ukraine would inadvertently encourage the invasion.
"You mentioned wanting to offer him the Donbas. That would be rewarding Putin, wouldn't it? said Raddatz.
"I don't trust Putin, but I do believe that he will act in his own best interests. He doesn't appear to like playing the role of the younger sibling to Xi Jinping. In light of this, Ramaswamy stated, "I believe we need to finish the Ukraine War on peaceful terms that do, indeed, offer some significant concessions to Russia, including freezing the present lines of control in a Korean War-style armistice deal.
Ramaswamy concurred with Raddatz's observation that Ukraine would be against this idea. The candidate said that he would make a "permanent pledge" to Russia to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO.
"But in exchange, Russia must break both its treaty and its military alliance with China. That actually further dissuades China from pursuing Taiwan, which is, in my opinion, a far greater priority for the United States, and better serves American interests, according to Ramaswamy.
