With the fears of Russia invading Ukraine becoming likely, lawmakers within the US are beginning to have divided stances on the current situation. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that Republican Senator Josh Hawley is spreading Russian propaganda following his letter to the Biden administration.
During a press briefing, Psaki was asked regarding Hawley’s letter that was published by Axios, calling for US President Joe Biden and his administration to drop support for Ukraine and its possible admission into NATO.
The Missouri Republican sent a letter addressed to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken questioning whether the US should continue to support Ukraine’s possible membership in NATO, citing that China is becoming a bigger security threat and that US resources should be directed towards the Indo-Pacific rather than in Europe.
Hawley’s stance echoes that of former President Donald Trump. Trump threatened to pull the US out of NATO, accusing other countries of not contributing enough to the alliance.
“If you are just digesting Russian misinformation and parroting Russian talking points, you are not aligned with long-standing bipartisan American values, which is to stand up for the sovereignty of countries like Ukraine but others, their right to choose their own alliances and also to stand against very clearly the efforts or attempts or potential attempts by any country to invade and take territory of another country,” said Psaki.
“That applies to Senator Hawley but it also applies to others who may be parroting the talking points of Russian propagandist leaders,” Psaki added, referring to right-wing media personalities like Tucker Carlson of Fox News.
It is not just Psaki who has criticized Hawley, but even his own fellow Republican, Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, blasted the Missouri lawmaker for calling on the Biden administration to stop supporting Ukraine.
“I hate to be so personal, but Hawley is one of the worst human beings and a self-aggrandizing con artist. When Trump goes down I certainly hope this evil will be laid in the open for all to see and be ashamed of,” tweeted Kinzinger.
Kinzinger has also previously blasted Hawley for pushing Trump’s false election fraud claims and voting to object to Congress’ certification of Biden’s election victory.