Kamala Harris Slams Ron DeSantis' Ukraine Statement

Vice President Kamala Harris went after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis  (R) for his misunderstanding of “the issues” after he referred to Russia ’s war in Ukraine as not one of America’s “many vital national interests .”

Harris, in an interview with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday, gave her views on the likely 2024 Republican presidential candidate’s  Ukraine statement to Fox News personality Tucker Carlson  in which he referred to the war as a “territorial dispute.” 

Colbert asked Harris what she makes of DeSantis’ stance that it’s not in America’s interest to offer Ukrainians aid “against an invading power.” 

“When you have had the experience of meeting and understanding the significance, again, of international rules and norms, and the importance of the United States of America standing firm and clear about the significance of sovereignty and territorial integrity, the significance against standing firm against any nation that would try to take by force another nation,” Harris told Colbert.

“If you really understand the issues, you probably would not make statements like that.”

DeSantis’ rejection of backing Ukraine sparked backlash from high-profile Republicans , including Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).

Cornyn, who called the war an “absolutely important” issue, said he was “kind of surprised” at DeSantis’ statement.

“I mean, Gov. DeSantis is a veteran,” Cornyn told CNN . “He’s a smart guy. I think he’s been a very good governor and I don’t understand him saying that Ukraine isn’t important to the United States.”