Former Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey made a surprise visit to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky. During the trip, Christie expressed his strong support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, taking a stance that sets him apart from his Republican counterparts and potential rivals for the presidential nomination.
Christie’s one-day visit had a surreal quality, as if it belonged to a different timeline of the GOP primary. In this alternate universe, former President Donald J. Trump had not drastically altered the party’s foreign-policy history, and Christie’s more traditional hawkish outlook on America’s role in the world could resonate with voters.
Accompanied by a Ukrainian security detail, Christie visited locations near Kyiv that were severely impacted by Russia’s advance towards the Ukrainian capital, including Bucha, where over 400 people were massacred by Russian soldiers. Reflecting on the devastation, Christie emphasized the need for America to stand up against such atrocities.
Christie is the second potential 2024 Republican candidate to meet with President Zelensky. Former Vice President Mike Pence, another vocal supporter of Ukraine, visited in June, paying respects to the sites of battles and atrocities from the previous year.
During a conversation with local officials in Moshchun, Christie assured them that there are millions of Americans who support Ukraine. However, an increasing number of these Americans no longer belong to the Republican Party, which has been shifting away from its support of Ukraine. Moreover, in a recent New York Times/Siena poll, Christie garnered only 2% of likely Republican primary voters’ favor, while Trump enjoyed a significant advantage over other contenders.
Kyiv has been protected by advanced U.S.-built air-defense systems since April, including the Patriot system. An app called Air Alarm Ukraine alerts users about incoming missiles and drones, similar to an Uber notification. One alert actually sounded shortly before Christie’s meeting with Zelensky, serving as a reminder of the ongoing dangers.
As a gift, Christie presented Zelensky with framed pages of lyrics from Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life.” This gesture symbolized the resilience and defiance demonstrated by Odesa residents during preparations for a potential Russian invasion.
In a Telegram post, President Zelensky expressed gratitude to Christie for witnessing firsthand the threat posed by Russian aggression and stressed the importance of American support.
Unlike his Republican peers, Christie’s candidacy directly challenges Trump, and he has solidified his position on Ukraine to contrast with the former president. The United States has provided significant military and security assistance to Ukraine since the Russian invasion, often framing it as vital support for democracy. However, this issue has divided Republican candidates and voters. Pew Research Center polls indicate that the percentage of Republicans believing the U.S. provides “too much” support to Ukraine has increased from 9% to 44% since the invasion in February 2022. A recent CNN poll suggests declining support among independents as well.
Trump’s skepticism has greatly influenced Republicans. His first impeachment stemmed from pressuring Zelensky to investigate political rivals while freezing aid to Ukraine. Trump, who denies pressuring Zelensky, has downplayed Ukraine’s importance as a national interest. At a CNN town hall, he refused to confirm whether he would continue providing weapons and ammunition to Ukraine or support Zelensky in the conflict.
In response to Trump’s statements, Christie has called him a “puppet of Putin” and ridiculed his claim of being able to negotiate a truce between Zelensky and Putin in one day.
During the closed-door meeting with Zelensky, Christie highlighted the importance of bipartisan support for Ukraine. He also criticized the Biden administration for delays in supplying F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine and expressed support for Ukraine’s NATO membership.
Although Christie’s determination to challenge Trump has garnered some admirers, it remains to be seen how many will actually vote for him. The majority of Republican primary voters currently favor Trump, making it challenging for Christie to gain traction. Furthermore, Christie’s prior association with Trump and his support for him until the election controversy unfolded complicates his position.
During his visit to Bucha, the mayor, Anatolii Fedoruk, wished Christie luck in his political endeavors. Despite the odds, Christie remains hopeful, as we all do.
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