Senator Paul Blasts Blinken for Pushing Ukraine NATO Membership Despite Russia Red Lines
20:24 GMT 26.04.2022 (Updated: 16:49 GMT 08.01.2023)
© AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite
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WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Senator Rand Paul during a hearing with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday slammed the Biden administration for beating the drum for Ukraine to enter NATO when Washington knew it could provoke Russia.
After talks with allies in Germany earlier in the day, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said he believes Ukraine will try to become a member of NATO again. The Biden administration has repeatedly said that NATO has an "open door" policy and Moscow has no "veto" on Kiev's membership.
"The US, including the Biden administration, insisted on beating the drums to admit Ukraine to NATO," Paul said while questioning Blinken who was testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "There could have been voices before this invasion instead of agitating for something that we knew our adversary absolutely hated and said was a red line as recently as last September."
Austin, during a visit to Ukraine last October, confirmed Washington's support for Kiev entering the alliance. Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the time that Austin's visit and statement should be interpreted as opening the doors for Ukraine to join NATO.
Paul said while there is no justification for Russia's decision, "there are reasons" Moscow launched the military operation, and pushing for Ukraine's NATO membership did not help.
"Had they [Ukraine] been... or they do become part of NATO, that means US soldiers will be fighting in Ukraine. And that’s something I very much oppose," Paul said.
While there is destruction ongoing in Ukraine, Paul added, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Kiev may consider neutrality.
Blinken, responding to Paul, said the US strongly believes NATO should have an open door policy when it comes to alliance membership.
The senator has been accused of pushing Kremlin talking points and betraying America.
"Rand Paul should be EXPELLED for parroting Russian talking points. When are we going to get serious about traitors in our midst?" former Biden campaign finance chair Jon Cooper said via Twitter.
On Sunday, Blinken and Austin visited Kiev to meet with Zelensky, marking the first visit by high-level US officials to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s special military operation in February.
"Rand Paul should be EXPELLED for parroting Russian talking points. When are we going to get serious about traitors in our midst?" former Biden campaign finance chair Jon Cooper said via Twitter.
On Sunday, Blinken and Austin visited Kiev to meet with Zelensky, marking the first visit by high-level US officials to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s special military operation in February.
