In a recent interview with Fox News, former Vice President Mike Pence openly criticized former President Donald Trump’s handling of the war in Ukraine. Pence asserted that Trump’s claims of being able to end the war within 24 hours were unrealistic and could only be achieved by capitulating to the demands of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump has repeatedly stated that if he were reelected, Putin would not have invaded Ukraine, and he pledged to resolve the conflict swiftly if voters sent him back to the White House. However, these assertions have drawn criticism from Republican presidential candidates and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“My former running mate likes to talk about solving it in a day,” Pence remarked. “The only way you’d solve this war in a day is if you gave Vladimir Putin what he wanted.”
Pence has been using his support for Ukraine as a way to distance himself from the former president. Last month, he made headlines as the first 2024 Republican presidential candidate to visit Kyiv and hold discussions with President Zelenskyy since announcing his bid for the White House.
While Pence expressed support for the Biden administration’s decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine, he criticized President Biden for not providing sufficient military support to Ukraine earlier.
“He’s been slow in providing the support,” Pence remarked. “We must do a better job of equipping Ukraine with what they need.”
Pence emphasized that the war could only be brought to an end by giving the Ukrainian military the necessary resources to prevail.
“There is only one path to success here, and that is to swiftly provide the Ukrainian military with the resources they need to repel the Russian invasion and reclaim their country,” Pence stated.
As the 2024 election approaches, the stance of potential candidates on Ukraine has become a topic of interest. Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have expressed desires for reduced U.S. involvement in the region.
Pence’s comments highlight the importance of a strategic and informed approach to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While offering support for Ukraine, he raises valid concerns about the need for timely and adequate military assistance. The resolution of this crisis requires careful consideration and decisive actions that prioritize the interests of Ukraine and its quest for sovereignty.
