DeSantis Paints a Biden-Lite Ukraine Policy

During a recent interview with Howie Carr, the Boston-based host of a conservative radio talk show, Ron DeSantis was asked if he supports the Biden administration’s reluctant decision to provision Ukrainian forces with artillery shells that distribute bomblets over enemy positions — so-called cluster bombs. In the process of answering the question, the Florida governor inadvertently exposed the extent to which his approach to managing the crisis in Europe resembles Joe Biden’s, departing from that dubious model only to double down on the Democratic president’s mistakes.

Asked directly if he supports sending cluster munitions to Ukraine, DeSantis replied: “I don’t want to do anything that’s going to escalate this conflict.”

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.

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During a recent interview with Howie Carr, the Boston-based host of a conservative radio talk show, Ron DeSantis was asked if he supports the Biden administration’s reluctant decision to provision Ukrainian forces with artillery shells that distribute bomblets over enemy positions — so-called cluster bombs. In the process of answering the question, the Florida governor inadvertently exposed the extent to which his approach to managing the crisis in Europe resembles Joe Biden’s, departing from that dubious model only to double down on the Democratic president’s mistakes.

Asked directly if he supports sending cluster munitions to Ukraine, DeSantis replied: “I don’t want to do anything that’s going to escalate this conflict.”

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.