FLASHBACK: Doug Burgum said ‘We are at war with Russia, we just haven’t sent troops yet’

In a 2023 interview with Forbes, North Dakota Governor and Trump VP hopeful Doug Burgum said that United States is "actually at war with Russia." He also went so far as to call the billions upon billions of dollars sent to Ukraine by the Biden administration a "bargain."

Per Forbes: "When it comes to sending Ukraine military aid, Burgum points to Ukraine’s ability to have already taken 'out a huge chunk of [Russia’s] capability,' adding, 'I don’t call that irresponsible spending, I call that a bargain.'"

Burgum stated "We’re in a cold war with China, and we’re actually at war with Russia–we just haven’t sent troops yet. We’re sending material, we’re sending funding, we’re sending advisors."

Burgum also expressed skepticism over Republican attempts to tie Ukraine aid to border security. "We can help Ukraine beat Russia and we can secure our own border at the same time," he said.

Over at the American Conservative, Curt Mills points out that Burgum has other neocon tendencies. "It’s not just Eurasia that Burgum wants troops, but also that old standby: the Middle East. Burgum has been open to placing American troops in the maelstrom of the Israel-Gaza war. 'Absolutely,' Burgum told voters in 2023." 

Pulling no punches, Mills writes: "The true rift in American national security debate is between cocksure primacy and chastened restraint. Either you believe the last quarter century of American foreign policy has been ruinous, or you seek to double down. Whatever his other virtues, Doug Burgum would be another neoconservative in power."

Burgum is a former Microsoft executive whose 2016 campaign was boosted by the tune of $100,000 by Bill Gates. In 2022, Gates raised red flags throughout North Dakota by purchasing 2,100 acres of land in the state. At the time of the sale, Burgum declined to comment, according to the AP.

North Dakotans and family farm advocates remain furious over the controversial land purchase.

Despite cozying up to MAGA in recent months, Burgum once vowed that he would never do business with President Trump. "I don't think so. I just think that it’s important that you’re judged by the company you keep," Burgum said to Chuck Todd.