ORLANDO, Fla. — Day one of the 2022 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) ushered in a new and urgent topic: Russia invading Ukraine and how the United States should respond.

What You Need To Know

  • Thursday was the first day of the 2022 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)

  • The 4-day event is being held at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando

  • A big topic of the day was what the U.S. response should be to Russia ongoing invasion of Ukraine

Many attendees who showed up Thursday at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, shared a common perspective: Focus on domestic issues first, before branching out elsewhere.

"I'd rather be tough with Russia but not go in there with troops," said Jeff H. "I think we need to focus more time on our own southern border."

"How can we go protect someone else's border when we're not protecting ours? I think we need to stay out of it," said Linda Hanna.

While Jeff is from Ohio and Hanna is from California, they share the same point of view.

CPAC attendee, Kinnet Ehring, also shares that belief. She feels Russia holds too much power when it comes to energy and wants the United States to reopen the Keystone Pipeline.

"They know they have us by the you-know-what with regard to gas and oil," Ehring said.

With many countries relying on the U.S. as an ally, conservatives know the impact the United States, its policies, and its leadership have on the rest of the world.

Emilie Dagerfall and Wilmer Almquist came from Sweden to attend this year's CPAC. 

"It's really interesting to see other person's views of conservatism," Dagerfall said. "It's very different in Europe and the U.S."