Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will call on Russia to “respect the sovereignty of its neighbors” Tuesday during a speech in Germany, as Mr. Bush makes an overseas trip ahead of an announcement next week on his 2016 presidential plans.
He is to say that Ukraine, “a sovereign European nation,” “must be permitted to choose its own path.”
“Russia must respect the sovereignty of all of its neighbors,” Mr. Bush will say at the Economic Council of the Christian Democratic Party’s annual conference, according to excerpts of prepared remarks. “And who can doubt that Russia will do what it pleases if its aggression goes unanswered? Our alliance, our solidarity and our actions are essential if we want to preserve the fundamental principles of our international order … an order that free nations have sacrificed so much to build?”
“There will always be those who view opportunity as a privilege to be hoarded … who regard individual liberty as a threat to their own power,” Mr. Bush will also say. “In the democratic world, we understand that opportunity belongs to everyone. At a time when so many are still kept down — by poverty, tyranny, or both — we stand for the right to rise.”
Mr. Bush, who will travel to Poland and Estonia later in the week, will also call for completing a major trade partnership being negotiated between the United States and the European Union.
“The EU and the United States have a common interest in the steady opening of markets across the world,” he says. “What keeps that progress steady are standards and rules that are modern, transparent, and fair. And that doesn’t happen by itself. That’s one reason why we need a serious plan to complete the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.”
SEE ALSO: Jeb Bush to call for closer economic, security ties with Europe
Mr. Bush is not yet a declared candidate for president, but the Wall Street Journal first reported Monday that Danny Diaz, who has worked for the past three GOP presidential nominees, is expected to serve as the manager of the former governor’s as-yet-unofficial campaign.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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