Republican congressional hopefuls say they oppose ‘a blank check’ for Ukraine

AUBURN — One of Maine’s most visible critics of arming Ukraine against Russia’s invasion is a libertarian-minded state senator from Auburn who worries that the United States is “flirting with” a possible world war by providing weapons, ammunition and training to Ukrainian forces.

State Sen. Eric Brakey frequently takes aim at U.S. government figures who support Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself against an illegal invasion of its territory by Russia, which has occupied Crimea and some territory in eastern Ukraine.

It’s a position that has become increasingly popular among Republican voters in the wake of strong criticism of Ukraine from party leaders such as former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis – and it’s becoming a litmus test in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District race as well.

A recent poll by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs found that a majority of Americans believe the $43 billion in assistance the U.S. has provided to Ukraine has been worth it. But only 40% of Republicans agree, and that figure has been declining.

What to do about Ukraine continues to draw sharp lines among the GOP’s presidential hopefuls as other contenders – including former Vice President Mike Pence and ex-United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley – vigorously defend American assistance to Ukraine.

It’s an issue that is also heating up the closely watched congressional race in Maine’s 2nd District, where one of the most stalwart supporters of Ukraine in the House, three-term Democrat Jared Golden of Lewiston, is seeking reelection next year in a district Trump twice won.

Though they express sympathy for Ukraine, the two leading Republican challengers to Golden’s reelection bid in 2024, both state lawmakers, do not share the Democrat’s position on what the American stance on the war should be.

State Rep. Austin Theriault, of Fort Kent, said there is “a clear contrast between” his position and the one Golden has staked out.

Theriault called Russian President Vladimir Putin “a scourge that must be stopped” and favors “the military effort to stop” Russia.

But, he said, “I’m not for giving Ukraine a blank check like Jared is. Right now, Ukrainian social programs, renewable energy programs, farmers and small businesses are getting American tax dollars while Maine farmers and small businesses are struggling.”

“American taxpayers are even spending hundreds of millions on energy in Ukraine while electricity prices skyrocket here in rural Maine,” Theriault continued.

He said aid to Ukraine should continue but “with much more transparency, disclosure, and accountability.”

State Rep. Mike Soboleski, of Phillips, said that “one sovereign nation invading another sovereign nation is unacceptable and a threat to global stability. It’s wrong, and I feel for the people of Ukraine.”

“However,” he said, “when it comes to foreign aid, Congress has no plan and the American people are left with the bill for their dysfunction.”

“In Ukraine, we should demand more engagement from other NATO nations, and more transparency for the American people,” Soboleski said. “This shouldn’t be hard, and taxpayers should never be asked to write a blank check.”

Aid from the U.S>, though, is already lagging behind Europe’s assistance to Ukraine.

“Europe has clearly overtaken the United States in promised aid to Ukraine, with total European commitments now being twice as large,” according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

The biggest donors to Ukraine’s defense to date, on a per capita basis, are Norway, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Denmark and Iceland, while Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, Canada, Finland and Sweden are providing aid at about the same rate as the U.S., the institute’s regularly updated tracker indicates.

A third GOP contender in the 2nd District, Robert Cross, of Dedham, could not be reached for comment. He does not appear to have issued any policy statement about Ukraine since entering the race this spring.

Neither Soboleski’s nor Theriault’s stances are as strongly opposed to U.S. aid for Ukraine as Brakey’s, who calls Democrats “the war party” for backing Ukraine so ardently.

Though Brakey has repeatedly called for a negotiated end to the war, it isn’t clear how the U.S. could force Russia and Ukraine to cut a deal to end the war.

Brakey blames Ukraine, which is fighting on its own territory to oust an invading army, for not doing more to stop the fighting.

Ukraine has issued a 10-point proposal for a negotiated end to the war that includes the withdrawal of Russian forces from its territory, the return of more than 20,000 Ukrainian children removed to Russia, the prosecution of war crimes, and security guarantees to prevent Russia from restarting hostilities.

Russia rejected that plan.