Pence had some strong words for Trump.
Former Vice President Mike Pence is speaking out against his former boss, President Donald Trump, after Trump’s controversial remarks about the origins of the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. Trump recently claimed that Ukraine started the war, a statement Pence quickly rebutted, calling out the misinformation. In a post on social media, Pence stated: “Mr. President, Ukraine did not ‘start’ this war. Russia launched an unprovoked invasion that has cost countless lives. The road to peace must be based on truth.”
Pence’s comments highlight the critical difference in their views on the conflict. Trump suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his government were responsible for the war’s escalation, even going so far as to say the conflict “never had to start.” In contrast, Pence made it clear that Russia’s invasion, which began in February 2022, was the true catalyst of the war. He also emphasized that the United States’ commitment to Ukraine must remain firm, warning that abandoning the country could lead to disastrous consequences for both Ukraine and the broader world.
Pence’s caution on Ukraine’s future aligns with his earlier remarks in which he warned that if the U.S. fails to stand by Ukraine, Russia could eventually target NATO allies, triggering a direct confrontation that could involve American troops. Trump, however, doubled down on his criticism of Zelensky, claiming that the Ukrainian president had misled the United States into pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into a conflict that, in Trump’s view, was avoidable.
The disagreement between Pence and Trump comes at a pivotal moment, as both men are vying for support from Republican voters ahead of the 2024 election. While Pence emphasizes the importance of standing with allies and countering Russian aggression, Trump continues to advocate for a more isolationist approach, claiming that his leadership could have prevented the war. These stark differences in foreign policy reflect the broader divide within the Republican Party as it grapples with how to navigate global conflicts in the years to come.