Democratic California Rep. Eric Swalwell on Monday touted what he said were the benefits of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war for the United States.
The war has spanned three years, resulting in many thousands of casualties. However, Swalwell, on “CNN News Central,” said that no American soldiers have died in the conflict and praised what he perceives to be the war’s positive economic impact on the U.S. economy and its geopolitical advantages.
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“Let me lay this out for your viewers as to why should we be helping Ukraine. If you look around the world, our biggest economic enemy is China. Our biggest geopolitical enemy is Russia,” Swalwell said. “And in a matter of three years, without losing a single U.S. soldier, we have decimated their military and their economy.”
“It’s been the greatest return on investment for any military expenditure ever. And as far as the return on investment for soldiers’ lives, it’s infinity because you can’t divide zero,” he added. “So, just economically, this makes sense. And the money that’s being spent, yes, it’s a lot of money, but it’s being spent inside the United States to create jobs here.”
Since the war began in February 2022, the U.S. has spent more than $130 billion on aid to Ukraine.
CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten said in February that a significant portion of Americans believed the U.S. had excessively supported Ukraine in aid during the war.
“I think the real thing to note here is the trend line, Mr. Berman, and, just, holy Toledo, look at this trend line here. ‘U.S. support for Ukraine is too much.’ Back when the war began, back in February of 2022, it was just 7%,” Enten told host John Berman. “Up like a rocket ship. My goodness. Up now in February of 2025 to 41%. And the clear majority of Republicans and, of course, Republicans are in charge of the U.S. government.”
“Now, 62% of Republicans say that the U.S. support for Ukraine is too much. What a difference from just three years ago,” he said. “I can remember, John, all those backyards in the United States with those Ukrainian flags. Far fewer of them today as Americans’ opinions on Ukraine have changed dramatically.”
As President Donald Trump has worked to end the war, numerous neoconservative figures have criticized his efforts, portraying them as an abandonment of Ukraine and surrender to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Featured Image Credit: Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA
