GOP faces divisions over siding with Ukraine against Russia

Republicans are pushing President BidenJoe BidenFormer chairman of Wisconsin GOP party signals he will comply with Jan. 6 committee subpoena Romney tests positive for coronavirus Pelosi sidesteps progressives’ March 1 deadline for Build Back Better MORE to be tougher on Russia over its aggression toward Ukraine, but their isolationist far-right flank is denying them unity on the issue.

Some of former President TrumpDonald TrumpFormer chairman of Wisconsin GOP party signals he will comply with Jan. 6 committee subpoena Overnight Defense & National Security — Pentagon tells Russia to stand down Billionaire GOP donor maxed out to Manchin following his Build Back Better opposition MORE’s closest allies have questioned why the U.S. would side with Kyiv over Moscow at all and expressed skepticism that it’s worth pouring American resources into the conflict.  

Top GOP leaders espousing the party’s traditional hawkish views have urged the Biden administration to impose sanctions and bolster Ukraine’s military capacity to counter Russia’s troop buildup along their shared border in recent weeks after its past invasion of Crimea in 2014. 

But Republicans more closely aligned with Trump — who during his presidency at times expressed pro-Russia sentiment — argue that America should stay out of it. 

“Despite claims by war hawks on both sides of the aisle, it is not in our national interest to spill American blood and treasure in Ukraine. A nation that cannot effectively secure its own border and protect its own territorial integrity cannot be responsible for doing so for nations in Eastern Europe,” said Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.). 

“Russia invading Ukraine is not an immediate threat to the security of the American people, homeland, and way of life. The flow of dangerous drugs, crime, and criminals over our sovereign border is,” echoed Rep. Paul GosarPaul Anthony GosarJan. 6 committee subpoenas leaders of ‘America First’ movement Lawmakers coming under increased threats — sometimes from one another McCarthy says he’ll strip Dems of committee slots if GOP wins House MORE (R-Ariz.). 

Others are suggesting, without evidence, that Biden’s actions to side with Ukraine could benefit the business interests of his son, Hunter, who previously served on the board of a Ukrainian energy company. Rep. Marjorie Taylor GreeneMarjorie Taylor GreeneGOP efforts to downplay danger of Capitol riot increase The Memo: What now for anti-Trump Republicans? Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says she’s meeting with Trump ‘soon’ in Florida MORE (R-Ga.) argued that Biden is “compromised” and renewed her regular calls for his impeachment. 

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellThe Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Facebook – Actor John Krasinski films outside White House Biden’s Supreme Court choice: A political promise, but also a matter of justice Let’s ‘reimagine’ political corruption MORE (R-Ky.), however, said this week that he thinks Biden is “moving in the right direction” to deter Russian aggression. 

The Defense Department announced Monday that 8,500 U.S. troops were placed on “heightened alert” for…