"We have to level with the American people on this issue," the 38-year-old multimillionaire biotech entrepreneur said
"Just because (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is an evil dictator does not mean that Ukraine is good. This is a country that has banned 11 opposition parties, that has actually...," Ramaswamy said during the second Republican presidential primary at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, on Wednesday
Ramaswamy's isolationist tilt drew major blowback from former vice president Mike Pence, former governor of New Jersey Chris Christie and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley
Haley, who is also of Indian origin, was the first to jump in and oppose such a move by Ramaswamy
Pence joined Haley in slamming Ramaswamy for his comments. "Vivek, if you let Putin have Ukraine, that's a green light to China to take Taiwan. Peace comes through strength," he said. "We need a reasonable plan to peace. We need a reasonable plan to peace," Ramaswamy responded
ADVERTISEMENT
