National

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) calls Russian President Vladimir Putin a "war criminal" in a new interview with British journalist Piers Morgan airing on Fox News.

Why it matters: The potential 2024 presidential contender's comments are in stark contrast to statements made by former President Trump, who last year called Putin "genius" and "very savvy" for recognizing two breakaway "republics" in eastern Ukraine as independent.

What they're saying: In the interview airing Thursday, Morgan asked DeSantis if Putin should be held responsible for war crimes and genocidal activity in Ukraine.

"I think he is a war criminal ... I do think that that he should be held accountable," DeSantis replied.

"I think he's got grand ambitions. I think he's hostile to the United States," he continued.

"We'll see what ends up happening with his longevity in power. But ... this has been a loss for them."

Yes, but: Just last week, DeSantis said in a statement aired by Fox News that it is not in the "vital national interests" of the U.S. to become "further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia."

Several Republican lawmakers, including Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), rebuked his comments shortly after.

Of note: Trump escalated attacks on DeSantis in recent months as it became clear the latter held a substantial bloc of conservative voters and could win the GOP nomination for the presidency. 

Go deeper: The deepening GOP divide on Ukraine

DeSantis calls Putin a "war criminal" who must be "held accountable"

His are in a stark contrast to statements made by Trump, who's referred to Putin's Ukraine strategy as "genius."

Photo of Ron DeSantis speaking into a microphone on stage

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to voters on March 10 in Des Moines, Iowa. Photo: Scott Olson via Getty Images

Ron DeSantis

Donald Trump

Russia

Ukraine

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

World

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the occupied port city of Mariupol this weekend, marking his first trip to Ukrainian territory that Russia annexed in September.

Why it matters: Mariupol became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance last year as it endured a devastating and sustained siege by Russian forces.

State of play: Putin flew into Mariupol for the unscheduled trip via helicopter and then drove around several parts of the city, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Sunday, state news agency RIA Novosti reported.

Putin's trip extended from late Saturday into Sunday, Peskov said, state news agency TASS reported.

The big picture: The visit comes just days after International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes charges and ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow this week.

"The criminal always returns to the crime scene," Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, tweeted Sunday in response to the visit, adding that, "the murderer of thousands of Mariupol families came to admire the ruins of the city & graves."

International Criminal Court (ICC) issued

Putin makes surprise visit to Ukrainian city of Mariupol

Mariupol became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance last year as it endured a devastating siege by Russian forces.

Vladimir Putin speaks with Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin as they look at reconstruction illustrations while he visits Mariupol on March 18. Photo: Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Polish President Andrzej Duda said this week that Poland will transfer four of its MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine in the coming days and plans to send others, as well.

The latest: Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger said on Friday that his country would send 13 of its MiG-29s.

Slovakia's fleet of 11 MiG-29s was retired last summer and many of them are currently not in operational condition, according to Reuters.

Why it matters: The transfers would make Poland and Slovakia the first and second NATO members to answer Kyiv's call for aircraft to help it further prevent Russia from securing air superiority over Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Air Force already operates MiG-29 jets, so they will likely be able to use the aircraft right away. 

What they're saying: Duda said Poland will transfer additional planes after they have been serviced, AP reports.

Duda did not say whether other countries plan to join Poland in fulfilling Ukraine's request for aircraft. A Polish government spokesman said on Wednesday that other countries have also pledged MiGs to Ukraine, but he did not name them.

Heger said the military aid to Ukraine is to ensure it "can defend itself [and] the entire Europe against Russia."

Neither leader said when they expect Ukraine to receive the aircraft.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters during a call that Poland's decision did not change the Biden administration's position on supplying Ukraine with aircraft.

"It doesn't change our calculus with regard to the F-16," Kirby said, referring to the U.S. fighter jets sought by Ukraine. "It's not on the table right now."

The big picture: Ukrainian officials have been calling on European countries and the U.S. to supply Ukraine with fighter jets or establish a "no-fly" zone over the country since the start of Russia's invasion.

The U.S. in March 2022 rejected a plan from the Polish government to deploy Poland's entire fleet of MiG-29 jets to the U.S., which would have allowed the U.S. to transfer the Soviet-era aircraft to Ukraine's military.

That plan would've included backfilling Poland's MiG-29 fleet with American-made F-16 fighter jets.

Go deeper: Israel approves export licenses for anti-drone systems for Ukraine

Editor's note: This article has been updated with a quote from John Kirby and Slovakia's announced transfer.

Israel approves export licenses for anti-drone systems for Ukraine

Poland, Slovakia become first NATO members to offer Ukraine fighter jets

Kyiv has called for aircraft to help it further prevent Russia from securing air superiority over Ukraine.

Polish MIG-29 fighter jets at an air force base in Malbork, Poland in August 2021.

Polish MIG-29 fighter jets at an air force base in Malbork, Poland in August 2021. Photo: Cuneyt Karadag/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

UN: Russian forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine

"Human losses and the general disregard for the life of civilians ...  are shocking."

Chair of the Independent international commission of inquiry on Ukraine Erik Mose (C) and Commission's members Jasminka Dzumhur (L) and Pablo de Greiff (R) attend a news conference

Members of the independent international commission of inquiry on Ukraine at a news conference in Geneva on March 16. Photo: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images

Tel Aviv

Axios from Tel Aviv

Israel recently approved the export licenses for the possible sale of anti-drone jamming systems that could help Ukraine counter Iranian drones used by Russia during the war, three Israeli and Ukrainian officials said.

Why it matters: It's the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine more than a year ago that Israel has approved defense export licenses for possible weapons sales to Ukraine.

Israel has been careful not to give military assistance to Ukraine, fearing such a move could create tension with Russia and harm Israeli security interests in Syria.

Driving the news: After Russia started using Iranian-made attack drones during the war, the Ukrainian government increased its pressure for Israeli military assistance.

Ukrainian officials have claimed that providing weapons systems to Ukraine is in Israel's best interest because Iran is able to gain information about how the drones perform and then make improvements. 

Iran has acknowledged it delivered some drones to Russia before the war started, but denies doing so after the invasion began. Russia denies using Iranian-made drones during the war, despite growing evidence to the contrary. 

Behind the scenes: The approval of the export licenses by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Foreign Minister Eli Cohen came in mid-February as Israel was conducting a Netanyahu-ordered review of its policy toward the war, the Israeli and Ukrainian officials said. That review has been completed but no new decisions have been made, according to Israeli officials. 

Cohen notified Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the approval during his trip to Kyiv on Feb. 15.

The licenses were approved for two Israeli companies — Elbit and Rafael — that develop anti-drone systems, Israeli and Ukrainian officials said.

A Ukrainian official told Axios that a delegation from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense visited Israel recently to get a presentation on the anti-drone systems. No deal has been signed yet.

The systems Israel proposed that Ukraine buy use electronic warfare to jam and down drones. The systems have a range of around 25 miles and can be positioned near power plants or other critical sites to protect them from drones. 

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry is interested in the systems, but they are viewed as less critical because Ukraine has been able to intercept the drones between 75–90% of the time, the Ukrainian officials said. 

"What we really need is a defensive system against ballistic missiles," a Ukrainian official told Axios.

What they're saying: Israeli officials claim the approval of the export licenses is not a shift in policy because the systems are defensive in nature and do not use any live fire that can kill Russian soldiers.

“Israel is assisting Ukraine in the defense and civilian fields. Every request is being reviewed according to the defense export policy to Ukraine. We don’t elaborate on that for national security and foreign policy considerations,” the Ministry of Defense said. 

Between the lines: A senior Israeli official told Axios one of the reasons Israel approved the licenses was to possibly see how the defense systems perform against Iranian drones. 

Scoop: Israel approves export licenses for anti-drone systems for Ukraine

Israel has been careful not to give military assistance to Ukraine, fearing such a move could create tension with Russia.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hold a press conference in Kyiv on Aug. 19, 2019. Photo: Sergey/Xinhua via Getty Images

Israel

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) weighed in on the war in Ukraine this week, aligning himself with former President Donald Trump, who has led the anti-war wing of the GOP.

Why it matters: DeSantis and Trump's opposition to ongoing U.S. support reflects a deep division within the Republican Party when it comes to Ukraine. 

While DeSantis has not yet officially declared his 2024 presidential bid, he is considered a frontrunner in the race alongside Trump.

Driving the news: "While the U.S. has many vital national interests...becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia is not one of them," DeSantis said in a statement shared Monday on Fox News' "Tucker Carlson Tonight."

The statement was given in response to a questionnaire sent by Carlson last week to all declared and potential 2024 Republican candidates.

"The Biden administration’s virtual 'blank check' funding of this conflict for 'as long as it takes,' without any defined objectives or accountability, distracts from our country’s most pressing challenges," DeSantis added in the full response Carlson later posted to Twitter.

Trump, responding to the same questionnaire, also said that opposing Russia in Ukraine was not a vital interest for the U.S.

Carlson, who has been critical of the Biden administration's policy toward Ukraine, called many of the responses a "refreshing surprise" during the show's broadcast.

Go deeper: Scoop: Trump's 5-part plan to attack DeSantis

aligns him with former President Donald Trump

deep division within the Republican party

Scoop: Trump's 5-part plan to attack DeSantis

DeSantis sides with Trump and Tucker Carlson on Ukraine

DeSantis said the Biden administration's support for Ukraine "distracts from our country’s most pressing challenges."

Ron DeSantis speaks to Iowa voters on March 10, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. 

Ron DeSantis speaks to Iowa voters on March 10 in Des Moines, Iowa. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images

Attorney General Merrick Garland made a surprise trip to Lviv, Ukraine, on Friday at the invitation of Ukraine’s prosecutor general, according to a Justice Department official.

Why it matters: During the visit, Garland reaffirmed the U.S.' commitment to help Kyiv hold Russia accountable for crimes committed throughout its invasion of Ukraine.

The trip was not previously announced for security reasons, per the official.

Driving the news: Garland joined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin, and several other international figures for a conference.

Zelensky said the "United for Justice Conference" was the first step toward creating a legal network to identify and prosecute Russians involved in war crimes and crimes against humanity.

What he said: "We are here today in Ukraine to speak clearly, and with one voice: the perpetrators of those crimes will not get away with them," Garland said at the conference, per his prepared remarks.

The Department of Justice is working with Ukrainian prosecutors to help investigate Russian war crimes, the attorney general added.

Garland said a recent change in U.S. law allows the DOJ "to prosecute alleged war criminals from anywhere in the world who are found in the United States."

"This means that in the years – and decades – ahead, Russian war criminals who set foot in our country should expect to find themselves in U.S. courts of law," he said. "War criminals will find no refuge in America."

The big picture: Garland previously traveled to Ukraine in June 2021, during which he announced the launch of the "War Crimes Accountability Team" to "centralize and strengthen" the Justice Department's efforts to investigate such crimes committed in Ukraine.

To lead the team, he tapped Eli Rosenbaum, former director of the Office of Special Investigations, which was primarily responsible for identifying, denaturalizing and deporting Nazi war criminals from the U.S.

Garland's most-recent trip comes just days after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited Kyiv to reaffirm U.S. economic support for Ukraine.

Go deeper: Biden and Germany's Scholz commit to continued Ukraine aid in meeting

Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments from Garland.

Biden and Germany's Scholz commit to continued Ukraine aid in meeting

AG Garland makes surprise visit to Ukraine

"War criminals will find no refuge in America," Garland said.

Merrick Garland participating in a signing ceremony with Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin at the Department of Justice in September 2022 in Washington, D.C.

Merrick Garland participating in a signing ceremony with Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin at the Department of Justice in September 2022 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Biden met at the White House Friday to discuss the allies' support for Ukraine against the ongoing Russian assault. 

Why it matters: It was Scholz's first visit to the White House since the invasion began and comes shortly after Biden reaffirmed U.S. commitment to Ukraine on the war's one-year mark.

Scholz last visited the White House in February 2022, weeks before the start of the war. At the time, he vowed to be "very, very hard to Russia" and stand up for Ukraine as it faced the threat of a large-scale invasion.

Friday's meeting came on the same day the U.S. announced millions more in military aid to Ukraine.

What they're saying: "I want to thank you, Olaf, for your strong and steady leadership," Biden said during the Oval Office meeting. "You stepped up to provide critical military support. And I would argue, beyond the military support, the moral support you’ve given Ukrainians has been profound."

"It’s really important that we act together […] and that we make it feasible to give the necessary support to Ukraine," Scholz responded. 

The U.S. and Germany must "give the message that we will continue to do so as long as it takes," Scholz added.

Catch up quick: Biden and Scholz were expected to discuss efforts to bolster Ukraine's defenses and transatlantic security, as well as counter Russia's aggression, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement last month.

The U.S. and Germany announced in January that they would send battle tanks to Ukraine but so far both Biden and Scholz have opposed Kyiv's calls for fighter jets.

The pair would also discuss "shared challenges posed by China," Jean-Pierre said.

The big picture: Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be waging a war of attrition as his invasion of Ukraine grinds into its second year, with brutal fighting in the eastern Donbas reason.

The U.S. warned last month that China was considering sending lethal aid to Russia.

Scholz urged China not to send weapons to Russia in an address to the German Bundestag on Thursday, Reuters reported. "My message to Beijing is clear: Use your influence in Moscow to urge the withdrawal of Russian troops," he said.

Of note: The latest U.S. aid package for Ukraine is valued at up to $400 million and features "more ammunition and support equipment for Ukraine's precision fires, artillery, and armored vehicle operations," per the Pentagon.

The U.S. has now provided Ukraine more than $32 billion in security assistance since the start of the Russian attack, the Pentagon said.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments from Biden and Scholz, as well as details about the new U.S. aid package for Ukraine.

His visit comes on the heels of the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

President Joe Biden speaks with Olaf Scholz, Germany's chancellor during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on Friday, March 3, 2023. Photo: Oliver Contreras/Sipa/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told Axios in an interview after his recent trip to Jerusalem that the Israeli government’s plan to weaken the Supreme Court is an internal Israeli matter and the U.S. should not intervene.

Why it matters: McConnell’s comments often set the tone for many Republican lawmakers who, unlike several Democrats, haven't expressed public opposition to the judicial overhaul plan.

Driving the news: McConnell visited the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel last week as part of a Senate delegation of Republicans. 

The delegation met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem.

A separate delegation of Senate Democrats led by majority leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) visited Israel at the same time.

What they're saying: McConnell told me the issue of the Israeli government’s judicial plan hardly came up in the meetings in Jerusalem and stressed this was a domestic issue.

“I don't have an opinion I'm willing to express about it," he said in an interview this week. 

"This is something the citizens of Israel are going to have to sort out for themselves without any American influence. … It isn’t any of my business to give Israelis advice about how to sort this out," he added.

The big picture: Democrats in Congress are increasingly voicing their concerns over Netanyahu’s controversial plan and its implications for Israel’s democracy and the bilateral U.S.-Israel relationship.

The plan, presented by the most right-wing government in Israel's history, has created an unprecedented constitutional crisis in the country, with growing fears that the confrontation between the government and the opposition will escalate into violence and chaos.

Biden told the New York Times last month that any fundamental changes in Israel’s judicial system should be based on a consensus to get legitimacy from the public and be sustainable.

Behind the scenes: McConnell told me a key issue that was discussed with Netanyahu was Israel's policy toward Ukraine.

"We want to see as much help for Ukraine internationally as we possibly can, and to the extent that the government of Israel could head in that direction, that would be a good thing," McConnell said.

He added, however, that he understands the complicated situation Israel is in with Russia. “The deconfliction agreement they have with the Russians with regard to Syria makes things somewhat complicated. But anything that the Israeli government could do to help Ukrainians would be appreciated," he added.

Worth noting: McConnell praised the visit by the Saudi foreign minister to Kyiv earlier this week and the $400 million aid package he announced.

“It's pretty clear to me, the Saudis would not have sent their foreign minister to Ukraine, they would not have committed $400 million if they were not on our side against the Iranians and the Russians in this war. And I think that's a very good sign," he said.

Scoop: McConnell says U.S. shouldn't weigh in on Bibi's judicial overhaul plan

"It isn’t any of my business to give Israelis advice about how to sort this out," McConnell said.

McConnell stands next to Netanyahu during their meeting in Jerusalem in February. 

McConnell and Netanyahu in Jerusalem in February. Photo: Handout/GPO

Benjamin Netanyahu

Media Trends

Axios Media Trends

U.S. readership of articles related to the Ukraine war

Data: Memo; Table: Tory Lysik/Axios Visuals

One year in, attention to stories around the war in Ukraine has mostly flatlined in the U.S., suggesting Americans are no longer gripped by the storylines that shocked them at the war's outset last February. 

Why it matters: The interest from Americans mirrors the progress on the ground in Ukraine, where Russian forces continue to bombard the eastern part of the country, but to no clear end. 

Details: Interest in the war spiked last March when it became clear that Russia's offensive would have a major impact on geopolitics and the global economy.

At the beginning of April, the horrors of the war began to be truly exposed, most notably in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, where mass graves and the bodies of civilians strewn in the streets were found after Russian forces retreated. 

State of play: Since then, major shifts in the war caused minor surges in U.S. traffic to news stories, according to data from Memo, a media monitoring platform. 

In May, the evacuation of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol drove incremental spikes in interest in stories about the war. 

In September, the start of Russian mobilization efforts and the announcement that Russia would annex four regions in eastern Ukraine also drove a spike in attention to the war. 

Be smart: Similar news consumption patterns can be observed on other channels. 

Social media interactions with stories about the war plummeted after September and have remained relatively low, with the exception of a small spike in the past week around one-year anniversary stories about the war, per social media analysis company NewsWhip. 

On television, networks have remained committed to covering the war, but they've run into viewer fatigue. 

What to watch: Military analysts are bracing for a potential spring offensive by Russian forces, which could prompt more attention to the war again. 

Americans grow numb as war in Ukraine drags on past 1-year mark

A potential spring offensive by the Russians  could prompt more attention to the war again.

Media trends

Media

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.

Economy & Business

The U.S. and Germany separately announced on Wednesday they would send battle tanks to Ukraine after pressure from NATO allies and Ukraine to supply the advanced armored vehicles as Kyiv prepares for a possible new Russian offensive.

Why it matters: The U.S. decision to supply Abrams M1 tanks and the German announcement on the Leopard 2 tanks is a major boost for Ukraine, which has pleaded with the West for months to send more advanced weaponry as it tries to take back territory from Russia.

Details: The U.S. will send 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine and will begin training Ukrainian troops on sustaining the tanks as soon as possible, Biden said at a press conference Wednesday.

Biden cautioned that delivering the tanks would "take time."

Biden said that prior to the announcement he had spoken to the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and the U.K. “to continue our close coordination and full support of Ukraine."

During a press briefing Wednesday afternoon, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby called the Abrams tanks "the most capable, powerful tank in the world" and said it would help Ukraine "fight effectively on open terrain."

Kirby noted that no date has been set for the Abrams' delivery but that it would likely be "many months before they're actually there."

Germany will initially supply 14 Leopard 2 tanks from its own stock, as well as ammunition and logistical and maintenance support, its government said in a statement.  

Training Ukrainian forces on the Leopards is expected to begin soon. 

Germany will also quickly provide licenses to other European countries that wish to supply Leopards from their own stock, the statement added. Poland has already requested approval to send some of its Leopards to Ukraine. 

U.S. and Germany to send battle tanks to Ukraine

The decision is a major boost for Ukraine.

Ukraine

The big picture

U.S. and Germany to send battle tanks to Ukraine

Scoop: Netanyahu asked for Ukraine's support at UN — and Zelensky asked for military aid

Pope Francis compares Russia's invasion of Ukraine to Stalin-era famine

How genocide is defined and what it could mean for Russia and Ukraine

What to know about hypersonic missiles Russia is using in Ukraine

What counts as a war crime and why they're so hard to prosecute

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