Former Vice President Mike Pence paid an unexpected visit to Ukraine on Thursday, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and toured the war-torn country in the ongoing struggle against Russian aggression. Pence, who recently launched his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, has been openly critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. He spent approximately 12 hours in the country, making stops in Moshchun, Bucha, and Irpin, according to NBC News, who accompanied him on the trip.
“I am here because it is crucial that the American people recognize the progress we have made and understand how supporting the Ukrainian military aligns with our national interest,” Pence stated during an interview with the network. “Now, more than ever, we need leaders who can effectively communicate the significance of American leadership in the global arena.” This visit marks Pence’s second trip to the region. In March 2022, he made an unannounced visit to the Ukrainian border with Poland, crossing into Ukraine to assist in delivering aid to the influx of refugees who fled the initial invasion. Both visits were arranged by Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian humanitarian aid organization.
While Pence prioritizes US involvement in Ukraine, his Republican competitors are less eager, reflecting a broader sense of skepticism within the party. A poll conducted in February by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that only 26% of Americans believe the US should play a major role in the conflict, compared to 40% in March 2022. Among Republicans, the number drops to 17%. Former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have both expressed reservations about the defense of Ukraine, claiming it is not a vital US national security interest. Trump has emphasized the humanitarian toll of the war and called for its resolution, while DeSantis initially described the Russian invasion as a “territorial dispute” but later retracted his comments due to backlash.
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