Republican Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance warned on CNN on Sunday that America’s defense forces are “stretched too thin” and said the focus should be on “closer” allies like Israel.
Mr. Vance appeared on “State of the Union” to discuss how the United States should respond to supporting countries that tolerate war, such as Ukraine, and other strategies that may be applicable. CNN host Jake Tapper asked Vance about his position on the Russia-Ukraine war after the war. national review The senator’s solution seems to suggest that Ukraine should surrender. (Related: Biden State Department wants to use video games to fight Ukraine ‘disinformation’)
“No, look, my solution to the problem is to rebuild our own country. Jake, we’re in this position because we’re stretched too thin. We’re We’re so stretched that we don’t have the number of weapons systems that we need, that Ukraine needs, that Taiwan needs, that Israel needs, and to do all of these things at once. That’s why when you’re weak, you have to focus on rebuilding your country.”
Mr. Vance continued to emphasize that Russia currently has a “5-to-1 advantage over Ukraine,” citing weapons as an example, and pointed out that the military aid that Ukraine is requesting is also needed by Israel and Taiwan. did. Vance said he is encouraging Ukraine to take a “defensive posture” while highlighting the Biden administration’s “dire counterattack” proposal because it is impossible to counter all conflicts at once. .
Mr. Tapper decided to ask Mr. Vance about Saturday’s attack by Iran, in which an estimated 300 drones and missiles were launched against Israel. Tapper said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy suggested the attack “should serve as a wake-up call for this larger battle” before consulting Vance on the statement.
“Well, I think foreign policy should serve as a wake-up call, not a nursery rhyme, but it should serve as a wake-up call that we have to rebuild our own industrial base. Another weapon that really matters. Let’s take the system, Patriot. [“Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target”] There is little doubt that the interception system saved many Israeli lives last night. Ukrainians want it by the thousands a year. Do you know how many cars we make per year, Jake? 550. We have been doing this for years, and it is impossible for us to support Ukraine and Israel and our own defense needs in the way they request,” Vance said.
“So I think we should focus on, I think, Israel being a closer ally and more core to the national security interests of the United States.” And, of course, we should focus on our own have to concentrate on. That means encouraging Ukrainians to adopt a defensive strategy. This is really important, Jake, because you’re going to hear a lot of voices across Washington, D.C., saying we need to pass a supplemental bill. [bill]. But if we pass an additional Ukraine-Israel bill and send to Ukraine a lot of weapons that Israel needs, we will actually weaken Israel in the name of helping them. It makes no sense and ignores mathematical reality. ”
In early February, the Senate introduced additional bipartisan legislation estimated to total more than $100 billion to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan and address the ongoing border crisis. But many Republicans quickly pushed back. The Senate then removed the border security portion, lowering the bill’s size to about $95 billion. according to To the Associated Press.
The package still awaits parliamentary approval. Vance and other Republican lawmakers have voiced opposition to the bill amid pressure from the administration to spend more money on a seemingly endless conflict.
