The Kremlin has expressed skepticism over the potential impact of the new Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, on Washington’s foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for the Kremlin, stated that he does not believe Johnson’s election will alter the current policy course. This statement comes in response to growing concern about Johnson’s position as a “Ukraine skeptic.”
Johnson, a Republican, has consistently opposed US aid to Ukraine, which has drawn criticism from members of both political parties. During the recent vote on the House floor, 220 House Republicans supported Johnson’s candidacy, while no Democrats endorsed him. This reflects Johnson’s stance as he has previously voted against two aid packages for Ukraine. He has raised concerns about the potential misuse of US funds by the Ukrainian government and questioned their transparency in accounting for the use of taxpayer resources.
Furthermore, Johnson is known for his strong support of former President Donald Trump. He was among the lawmakers who opposed the certification of the 2020 election results, in which Democrat Joe Biden received the most votes in US history. Johnson’s association with Trump raises concerns about his approach to foreign policy, especially in relation to Ukraine.
The tense relationship between the United States and Russia has deteriorated further due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with the US siding with Ukraine. The US has pledged approximately $45 billion in arms and military aid to Ukraine since the start of the conflict and has led efforts to impose sanctions on Russia. This has contributed to the current state of relations between Moscow and Washington, which Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov described as “ruined” and “collapsed.” Ryabkov placed the blame on the US, urging them to review their “destructive” approach towards Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also acknowledged the “deep crisis” in relations between the two countries, attributing it to America’s support for “color revolutions” and the 2014 Maidan coup in Kiev. Putin emphasized Russia’s commitment to building relations based on equality and non-interference in internal affairs. He stated that Russia will continue to pursue this approach in the future.
In conclusion, the election of Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House is unlikely to significantly impact Washington’s foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine, according to the Kremlin. Johnson’s skepticism towards US aid for Ukraine and his alignment with former President Trump raises concerns about his approach to international affairs. The strained relationship between the US and Russia further complicates the situation, with both sides blaming each other for the deteriorating ties. The Kremlin continues to emphasize its commitment to equality and non-interference in internal affairs in its dealings with the US.
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