Harris blasts DeSantis over Ukraine remarks, lack of experience

Vice President Kamala Harris joined lawmakers from both parties in criticizing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ comments earlier this week that supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia is not a vital national security interest.

“If you really understand the issues, you probably would not make statements like that,” Harris said Wednesday night on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."

Responding to a questionnaire from Fox News’ Tucker Carlson in an interview on Monday night, DeSantis downplayed the importance of continuing aid to Ukraine, characterizing Russia’s invasion as a “territorial dispute” and arguing that it’s not among “vital national interests” for the United States. While the cost of ongoing aid has been a point of contention in the Republican Party, most in the GOP have expressed support for the Ukrainian cause.

DeSantis, widely expected to announce a 2024 presidential campaign, has yet to announce such a run but has spent recent weeks making high-profile stops around the country — including in Iowa — to promote his new book.

The vice president chalked the comments up to what she said was DeSantis’ lack of experience on the world stage, contrasting her own experience meeting with world leaders with that of a regional lawmaker.

When you have that experience, you understand the need to stand “firm and clear about the significance of sovereignty and territorial integrity, the significance of standing firm against any nation that would try to take by force another nation,” Harris said.

Speaking on a radio show this week, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio struck a similar chord: “Well, I don’t know what he’s trying to do or what the goal is. Obviously, he doesn’t deal with foreign policy every day as governor.”

While backlash from Democrats was expected, rebukes from the right have been swift and decisive, especially among potential presidential contenders.

Former President Donald Trump accused the Florida governor of a “flip-flop,” noting DeSantis’ rather hawkish stance toward Russia while in Congress. Trump also accused his potential opponent of imitating his isolationist stance: “Whatever I want, he wants,” Trump told reporters.

Former ambassador to the United Nations and declared 2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who said in her own Carlson questionnaire that aiding Ukraine is in the U.S. national security interest, agreed with Trump's assessment of DeSantis. The Florida governor is mimicking the former president “first in his style, then on entitlement reform, and now on Ukraine,” she said in a statement. “Republicans deserve a choice, not an echo.”