First Republican presidential debate, as it happened | GOP leaders spar over Ukraine

After over two hours of gruelling arguments, the first Republican primary has come to an end. Although pointing a clear winner is unlikely at this stage, Pence, Haley, DeSantis, Christie and Ramaswamy had their moments to shine. 

"Joe Biden has weakened America at home and abroad. People have had enough and I know we can bring that back. I have faith in the American people. God is not done with America yet. If we renew our faith in each other and god, I believe the greatest days are yet come."

"We were told to celebrate our differences that we forgot that we are all bound by the same thing of Americanness. God is right, there are two genders, fossil fuels are required for prosperity, nuclear family is the greatest form of governance, there are three branches of government not four," said Ramaswamy, repeating his campaign trail message, 

"We should be willing to fight America here. I will strengthen our economy, bring inflation down, transparency in the classroom," said Haley as she signed off for the night. 

"This is our time for choose. We will send Biden back to his basement. I understand the importance of the American dream. I am a veteran. I made promises delivered on all of them. I will get the job done and as president I will not let you down," said DeSantis. 

"Nation is in trouble. Solution is new leadership. Bring out the best of our people. That is what I bring. I bring out the best of America in terms of security, national character," said Hutchinson. 

Dough Burgum started with the closing remarks and said: "Our economy is being crushed by Biden's energy policies, which are raising the costs of every product you buy. One thing that I will do as president, I will secure the border. I will get this economy sprinting, not crawling like it is right now." 

Asked during the rapid-fire round if all presidents should pass a mental and physical fitness test, Pence said:  "It might be a good idea for everyone in Washington D.C. to do that."

As the moderators asked about recent UFO testimonies, Christie shook his head in disappointment and said: "I get the UFO question? Come on, man!"

Afterwards he said: "The President's job of the US is to stand for truth, be a role model for children or grandchildren. Teachers Unions the biggest threat to our country. They are putting themselves before our kids. Teachers unions not UFOs are the biggest threat to our country."

"We have a crisis of achievement. Allow any parent to choose where they send their kids to school. End the teachers union. Every high school student has to pass the same American civic test that every immigrant has to take to be a citizen of this country," said Ramaswamy when asked about his education policy. 

"Decline in education is one of the main reasons why the country is in decline. Education is what we need not indoctrine. Lockdown our schools were on. I stood for our kids. We have to make sure we are focusing on solid academics. We cannot be graduating students that do not have any foundation in what it is to be in America," said DeSantis. 

The debate floor became "Ramaswamy vs seven others" on the Ukraine issue. The entrepreneur came under severe pressure from all Republicans for saying he will give the Ukrainian territories to Russia. 

Haley and Ramaswamy had a heated debate on the Ukraine funding issue. Haley, perhaps at her most aggressive on the night, took a swipe at Ramaswamy and said: “Look at what Putin did today. He killed [Wagner Group mercenary leader Yevgeny] Prigozhin. When I was at the UN, the Russian ambassador suddenly died. This guy is a murderer and you are choosing a murderer."

"You have no experience in foreign policy, and it shows."

Ramaswamy point blank said "I would not support increase in funding to Ukraine". Meanwhile, Pence responded saying: "Anyone who thinks we cannot solve our issues in the US and be a leader in the free world, is small."

"We can do both, we will do both. Putin is a dictator and a murderer and the US needs to stand against this," said Pence adding that America has always achieved peace through strength. 

"It is about January 20, 2017 when I took an oath to defend the US Constitution. Everyday for four years I kept that oath. Everyone on this stage needs to say if they can keep that oath. President asked me to put him over the constitution, but I chose the constitution," said Pence. 

"This election is not about January 6. As Republicans we need to look forwards," said DeSantis during the debate. 

In response to Christie's statement on Trump, Ramaswamy interjected and said: "Trump was the best president of this century."

Christie and Ramaswamy went toe-to-toe over the judicial treatment meted to former president Donald Trump. At one instance, the crowd gathered to attend the debate booed Christie so incessantly that he was unable to speak. The Fox News moderators had to intervene to bring debate back on track. 

"Can't we all agree that we should ban late-term abortions? Can't we all agree that we should encourage adoptions? Can't we all agree that doctors and nurses who don't believe in abortions shouldn't have to perform them?" asked Haley in a rhetorical sense. 

"Can't we all agree that contraception should be available? And can't we all agree that we are not going to put a woman in jail or give her the death penalty if she gets an abortion?" she added. 

"People are hungry for purpose and meaning. We need a tonal reset from the top," said Ramaswamy during the second session of the debate, talking about the 'mental health epidemic'. 

“The problem in our country right now, the reason we have the mental health epidemic is that people are so hungry for purpose and meaning at a time when family, faith, patriotism, hard work have all disappeared. What we really need is a tonal reset from the top saying that this is what it means to be an American.”

When asked by moderators if the candidates believed climate change is caused by humans by a show of hands, Florida Governor DeSantis interjected saying: "We're not school children, let's have the debate."

The moderators didn't go to all eight candidates but Ramaswamy managed to chime in, saying he believed climate change was a 'hoax'. 

Addressing the abortion issue, Pence attempted to draw a line by stating: "I'm a champion of life. Consensus is the opposite of leadership. Its not a states-only issue, its a moral issue. Can't we have a minimum standard in every state that when a baby is able to feel it should not be allowed for abortion. A 15-week minimum ban is necessary."

“Donald Trump added $8 trillion to our debt, and our kids are never going to forgive us for this," said Haley during the debate. 

Notably, during Trump's presidency, the total public debt rose by nearly $7.8 trillion to $27.8 trillion in 2021 from $19.9 trillion in 2017. 

Vivek Ramaswamy perhaps had the most attention during the opening round. Chris Christie attacked the Indian-origin leader by calling him someone who sounds like 'ChatGPT', suggesting that GOP lawmakers see him as the biggest threat. 

"I do think, Bret, it's going to take an outsider," said Ramaswamy during the debate when quizzed about the American dream achievable for the next generation.

"Because for a long time we had professional politicians in the Republican Party who have been running from something. Now is our moment to start running to something. To our vision of what it means to be an American today," he added. 

Indian-origin Nikki Haley in the opening speech, talking about inflation said: "I think it's time for an accounant in the White House."

"This decline is not inevitable. It's a choice," DeSantis said. "We need to send Joe Biden back to his basement and reverse American decline."

"We also cannot succeed when the Congress spends trillions and trillions of dollars. Those rich men north of Richmond have put us in this situation," he added. 

"I think I am unquestionably the best prepared, the most tested, the most qualified and proven conservative in this race. I was the first to talk about long-term debt issues. I will put our country back on the path of growth" said Mike Pence. 

He also took a jab at Ramaswamy by saying: "Vivek recently said, 'A president can't do everything.' Well I've got news for you, Vivek. I've been in the hallway and the West Wing. A president of the United States has to confront every crisis facing America."

Vivek Ramaswamy in his opening remarks said the debate was the beginning and "we are just getting warmed up". 

We are live with the first presidential debate. A live studio audience of 4,000 is currently in place. Today's debate is the first time public will see the GOP candidates side-by-side to take note of their policies.  

Candidates will be discussing a range of urgent topics and the discourse will provide insight into each candidate's focal points and strategies.

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While Trump's absence is supposed to be notable, Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor is the next biggest target in the first debate. Despite having his lead in the prez race cut down in recent months, many tout DeSantis as the closest rival to Trump. 

First Republican presidential debate LIVE updates: The eight candidates to have qualified for the primary are:  North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former Vice President Mike Pence, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.