Ron DeSantis backtracks on Ukraine war claims
Ron DeSantis has backtracked on comments where he described the Ukraine war as a "territorial dispute".
Ron DeSantis has backtracked on his comments about the Ukraine war.
The Florida Governor was criticised for calling the conflict a "territorial dispute" between Russia and Ukraine but he has now claimed that his remarks were "mischaracterised".
Speaking on 'Piers Morgan Uncensored', DeSantis said: "Obviously, Russia invaded - that was wrong. They invaded Crimea and took that in 2014 - that was wrong."
The politician, who is expected to make a bid for the White House in 2024, branded Russian president Vladimir Putin as a "war criminal" and thinks that the despot should be held "accountable" for the atrocities in Ukraine.
DeSantis has rowed back on his "territorial dispute" comments but has once again stressed that the US should not get too involved in the conflict.
He said: "I think the larger point is, OK, Russia is not showing the ability to take over Ukraine, to topple the government or certainly to threaten NATO. That's a good thing.
"I just don't think that's a sufficient interest for us to escalate more involvement. I would not want to see American troops involved there. But the idea that I think somehow Russia was justified (in invading) - that's nonsense."
