Rick Scott open to Ukraine troop deployment

Sen. Rick Scott

As Russian forces continue to gather by the country’s border with Ukraine, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott is open to a deployment of American troops in support.

When asked Friday if he opposed U.S. forces being sent in support of Ukraine, Scott flatly said no.

“I don’t think you should ever say that,” Scott said on the Fox Business Network. “I think what you should do is give everything you can to the Ukrainian people so they can defend their freedoms.

“That’s what Israel does. We help them with resources, but they defend themselves. That’s what we should expect out of the Ukrainians. We will give you resources. You will have to defend yourselves. But you should never say you’re not going to send troops,” Scott added.

Scott continued to draw parallels between Ukraine and Israel when asked about whether action in Ukraine is in America’s national interest.

“Israel shows up. They never ask us to put American troops on the field. They show up. They defend their freedom. I believe the Ukrainians will do the same,” Scott affirmed.

Scott’s comments come as Russian and Ukrainian officials both seem to be downplaying the imminence of conflict.

Responding to a Joe Biden assertion that a “distinct possibility” exists for a Russian invasion of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russian leaders “don’t want a war,” as the Associated Press reports. The AP also quotes Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov telling Parliament that the troop buildup is similar to levels last spring.

Despite these assurances, the Biden administration is on the move. The President has put 8,500 troops on a state of heightened readiness.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Friday any troops deployed would not be “combat troops.”