The Lead with Jake Tapper: Sen. Roger Wicker, (R-MS), Is Interviewed About War In Ukraine, Russia, China
Interview
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Well, let me say I applaud the President for going to Europe. They were great words. Now, they do need to be followed up with action.
And you know, we've complained over the last twelve months about foot dragging, appropriations have been made. We've urged them to give weapons more quicker and better. And so, I hope once the President gets back, his order to the Pentagon is let's give all the ammunition they need, the long range missiles, the air support, the things that Zelenskyy needs to actually win this spring offensive.
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I think we should do that. And, you know, well, there's always an excuse. You know, they're used to flying Migs (ph) over there, and there will be a training gap. Well, we've had a lot of time for training. And if there's more training that needs to be done, we need to start it this afternoon and make sure that we can get them what they need to win this offensive in the spring.
One thing I'm concerned that the American people don't realize is Vladimir Putin has failed miserably in this late winter offensive. He may have gained a meter or two in a small town, but it has not succeeded and is not likely to succeed. What it has done is it is result in a huge not just casualty rate, but mortality rate.
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Most of the problems they've had have been actually fatalities among these prisoners and these conscripts who are not ready to fight. And no matter what China gives them, they will never be ready to fight a war like this.
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Well, listen, I think there is strong support among the Republican conference. I'd say 90 percent support for giving Ukraine the tools it needs to win the war. We're not asking our troops to go over there and fight. They're doing the dirty work, and we are helping the west provide some equipment.
I had questions about our share of the burden at our Tuesday lunch and also what the other allies are doing and what percentage of our GDP we're spending on that. So, the next day, I complied and supplied them with chapter and verse. And I think it was very helpful.
You know, I think the American people, I think they want Ukraine to win. They don't want us to get into a long war of attrition where we're making our allies fight with one hand tied behind their backs.
And so, the truth of the matter, Jake, is the President has the authority for 10 times more weaponry than he promised this week in Europe. And --
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-- what we wish he would do is take the Congressional authorization and show that we want Ukraine to be in this to win this. And frankly, Xi is -- the president -- the communist president of China is watching this.
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If we are worried about what might happen in the Western Pacific with Communist China, we ought to be mindful that they are watching for U.S. and Western resolve in Ukraine.
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I don't know what they mean by that, but the consequences should be that we're going to give the long range of missiles to Ukraine regardless of what China does. And we're going to show that we have the resolve to follow through on the strong and welcome words that the American President delivered in Europe.
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Thank you, Jake.
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