Trump, Ramaswamy urge focus on China amid Russia conflict

GOP presidential candidates weighed in on the emerging security situation in Russia on Saturday, drawing into sharp focus their differing views on the Ukraine conflict and how they would handle foreign policy issues as president.

Former President Donald Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to warn, "A big mess in Russia, but be careful what you wish for. Next in may be far worse!"

“Biden will do about Russia whatever President Xi of China wants him to do," he added.

He further referred to China “wanting large portions of unpopulated land to have for their much larger population," calling the current conflict an “unthinkable opportunity” for them to move on Russia.

“This is one more piece of evidence that Russia is likely a paper tiger,” candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said in a Saturday morning interview on Fox News. “The idea that Russia has the capabilities that go for Poland or other parts of Western Europe looks increasingly farcical."

He also largely focused on China. "I think we need to keep our eye on the prize for the United States, which is deterring Chinese aggression. That's actually the top threat that we face from a foreign policy perspective,” he added.

The 37-year-old biotech executive said that the “core hallmark” of his foreign policy vision as president would be encouraging an end to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on the condition that Russian President Vladimir Putin distance himself from Chinese President Xi Jinping. Without the support of Russia, Ramaswamy argued, Xi would have to “think twice before going after Taiwan.”

Former Texas Rep. Will Hurd, however, chose a different tack, writing on Twitter that the United States should help Ukraine to establish a no-fly zone to protect civilians from the possibility of a Russian civil war.

“In complicated times when our adversaries are trying to displace us as a superpower, it’s common sense to defend the global order that has benefited us and to help our allies,” Hurd added. “Ukraine is not a territorial dispute and Vladimir Putin is a war criminal. It shouldn't be hard to admit this. Even the villainous [Yevgeny] Prigozhin knows this.”

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez struck a less pointed tone in his statement on the conflict on Saturday, calling on Twitter for “peace-loving people around the world” to pray for the “freedom-loving people of Russia.”

“The next few days will be crucial,” Suarez wrote. “Please pray for God to protect the innocent.”