'Dishonest characterization': CNN host grills GOP rep 'fine with Russia steamrolling over Ukraine'

Ahead of House Speaker Mike Johnson's potential negotiation with Democrats on the US Senate approved bipartisan $60 billion Ukrainian aid package, a Republican congressman against US support for Ukraine made his case to CNN's Abby Phillip Monday night.

"I heard you say earlier something about being supportive of Ukraine because they were unfairly attacked," Phillip said, asking US Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), "Would you support, at this point, that vote to send aid to Ukraine in that fight against Russia?"

The Ohio lawmaker replied, "No, I've had the same question since the very first vote when I think I'm one of ten people that never voted for anything to give to Ukraine. And it's because it's not something that Ukraine can't do. Look, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was inspiring when he said, 'I don't need a ride out, I need ammunition.' I mean, he's rallied his country in the world to his cause, but the US State Department is conflicted. I mean, they've got [former Spokesperson for the United States Department of State] Victoria Newland, saying that the mission is regime change in Russia with war crimes tribunals for Vladimir Putin — that's World War III."

READ MORE: 'Nobody cares what she thinks': Even MAGA Republicans are fed up with MTG’s antics

He added, "And, look, when they say something vacuous, like as much as it takes as long as it takes, that passes for a lot of people, but it doesn't answer in order to do what? And if that's to extract all the Russians from Ukraine, Ukraine doesn't have the combat power to do that, no matter how much money we send them, they need allies to come in on the ground and the sea, and in the air to be able to extract Russia from Ukraine. That's a bigger war. And so we have to have a limiting factor that the administration is not willing to concede."

Phillip asked, "Are you suggesting that the conflict in Ukraine is a lost cause and that is why you oppose sending more money for ammunition and the like to Ukraine?"

"No, no, I wouldn't call it a lost cause," the GOP leader insisted. "I think Volodymyr Zelenskyy wasn't given a chance. I mean, they told you a lot of the intelligence said that they would have their whole country collapsed within days. I mean, people were offering him a ride out and he turned in fought. I mean, look, they've been heroic and inspirational, but I think they've been deceived, and look, I understand if my country was under attack, my mission would be to extract everyone that shouldn't be here out of my country. And a lot of ways my country is being invaded today, more passively, more peacefully, but it's still being invaded, and we want to secure our borders."

Phillip said, "Congressman, I'm sorry to interrupt you. I just want to understand your position because I'm hearing you suggest that Ukraine's fight is valid, that they should push back against Russia. But you're also at the same time unwilling to provide them with what they need to be able to do that right now, the warning that is out there from members of this administration, from people in the military, is that if this doesn't come right now, the momentum will be lost. Are you concerned that this is that kind of pivotal moment? And you and your colleagues are not willing to do what is necessary to allow Ukraine to maintain an upper hand?"

READ MORE: 'Jesus himself could not manage this conference': House GOP rep blasts far-right colleagues

"Look, you can be sympathetic to Ukraine without saying that it's our war to fight or our war to fund," the Republican leader said. "Ukraine is not a member and NATO, and that is a big part of what this conflict is."

Phillip asked, "So you want them to be on their own at this point?"

"I think they should be independent," Davidson replied. "And I think what we've done for them as give them a path to negotiate a peace. but the administration has worked at odds with that. I mean, frankly, gerhard schroder in germany is pointed out that the Biden administration scuttled the efforts to try to negotiate a peace. they could have saved hundreds of thousands of casualties on both sides. frankly, this war was entirely avoidable, but the biden administration, frankly failed in every way possible, and so did Putin."

Phillip commented, "Congressman, at this moment the force standing in the way of helping Ukraine is you and your colleagues. Sounds like you're just not interested in doing that, and you're fine with Russia steamrolling over Ukraine. is that correct? no. >>

Davidson insisted, "I mean, that's a dishonest characterization. I understand why you're making it, and that's fine. I've had this position for the entire two years that the war has gone on. And I'm not going to change it."

READ MORE: 'Russian propaganda' has 'infected a good chunk of my party’s base': House GOP foreign affairs chair

Watch the video below or at this link.

'Dishonest characterization': CNN host grills GOP rep 'standing in the way of helping Ukraine'youtu.be