As concerns mount about Russian military activity on Ukraine’s border, Fox News’ Tucker Carlson is asking why the U.S. should side with the European nation.
A group of House Republicans is pressing President Joe Biden to “take immediate and swift action to provide support to Ukraine in the form of intelligence and weapons.” In a letter, they also encouraged him to “deploy a U.S. military presence in the Black Sea to deter a Russian invasion.”
On Wednesday, Carlson asked Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), who was one of the Republicans calling for support for Ukraine, “But why would we take Ukraine’s side and not Russia’s side? It’s a sincere question.”
“We’re already on Ukraine’s side,” Turner responded.
The host asked, “But why? I mean, who’s got the energy reserves? Who’s the major player in world affairs? Who’s the potential counter-balance against China which is the actual threat? Why would we take Ukraine’s side? Why wouldn’t we have Russia’s side?”
“I’m totally confused,” Carlson added.
Watch the video below:
"I'm totally confused" — Tucker Carlson wonder why the US would be allies with Ukraine instead of Russia, since Russia has more energy reservers. Rep. Mike Turner reminds him that we're supposed to be on the side of democracies. Carlson responds by saying, "I guess" pic.twitter.com/XIXfJXKsML
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 11, 2021
Turner responded, “Well, clearly. Maybe if you get out a map and you look to see where the Black Sea is and Bulgaria and Romania, Romania where we have our missile defense system, Greece and Turkey the entrance to the Black Sea. And then from there, you look at what the conflicts have already been in Russia’s areas there.”
“Ukraine is a democracy. Russia is an authoritarian regime that is seeking to impose its will upon a validly elected democracy in Ukraine. And we’re on the side of democracy. That’s why people were chasing those planes in Afghanistan and wouldn’t be chasing Russian ones. We’re for democracy. We’re for liberty. We’re not for authoritarian regimes coming in and changing borders by tanks,” he continued.
Finally, Turner said, “Russia isn’t showing up on the border with ballot boxes. They’re showing up on the border with tanks. And that’s why we need to make certain we’re on the side of democracy.”
Carlson responded, “I mean, I guess I’m for democracy in other countries, I guess. But I’m really for America.”
The exchange comes after Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised concerns about “reports of unusual Russian military activity near Ukraine.”
“We’re monitoring the region very closely,” he said, adding, “And as we’ve made clear, any escalatory or aggressive actions would be of great concern to the United States.”
Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with Ukrainian officials to reassure them of “the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
In a letter to Biden, a group of House Republicans wrote, “Although Russia’s intentions are uncertain, the presence of Russia’s elite 1st Guard Tanks Army lends credibility to concerns that Russia is planning additional incursions into Ukraine territory.”
“Your administration cannot ignore Russia’s continued threat to international law and Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty,” the letter added.
