Posted on 04/27/2022 8:05:58 AM PDT by Mariner
Sen. Rand Paul got flak Tuesday for his comments on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with some people criticizing him for echoing one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's talking points.
During an exchange with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Paul pointed out that Russia's attacks, in the recent past, have been on countries that were once part of the Soviet Union.
Putin has publicly dismissed Ukraine's right to function as a sovereign nation separate from Russia.
The Kentucky Republican's comments came during a Senate hearing with Blinken, during which Paul raised concerns about U.S. displays of support for Ukraine potentially joining the NATO military alliance, including during former President George W. Bush and President Joe Biden's administrations.
He asked Blinken: "Knowing full well that Ukraine was unlikely to ever join NATO since it had already been 14 years since they said they were going to become members, why was it so important last fall — before this invasion — to continue agitating for Ukraine's admission to NATO?"
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I have no zeal for war. But I think it’s worth pointing out that even during Soviet Union days some autonomy of Ukraine was recognized by the Soviets; they sent their own team to the Olympics. Meaningless from a governmental point of view but a diplomatic distinction.
Regardless of past history though, Ukraine was recognized internationally, including by Russia, as an independent and sovereign nation. Russia has no moral or legal right to destroy Ukraine’s sovereignty. They may well succeed in asserting right-by-conquest. But we should not just turn the other way.
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