Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said he fully supported Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression and called for an increase of U.S. military aid. According to him, it is in the national interest of the USA to continue military support to Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Pence, who served as vice president in the Donald Trump administration, announced his intention to run for president in 2024.
Speaking at a public meeting broadcast live on CNN, he said that the U.S. should equip Ukraine with everything it needs to repel Russian aggression and take back its territories.
“I know that some in this debate are calling the war in Ukraine a territorial dispute. It wasn’t. It was an unprovoked Russian invasion. And I believe that the United States needs to continue to provide the valiant soldiers in Ukraine with the resources they need to repel this Russian invasion and restore their territorial integrity”, said Mike Pence.
Pence said that in his opinion, US President Joe Biden was unacceptably slow in providing military assistance to Ukraine. He recalled that Washington still has not handed Ukraine the Abrams tanks promised in January.
“We are still waiting for someone to deliver F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine”, he added.
He said the U.S. must not forget its duty to support freedom and democracy around the world. “It’s not our war, but the fight for freedom is our cause”, he said.
The former vice president also spoke in favor of a tougher U.S. line toward Vladimir Putin. He reminded the audience that he had met Putin in person, looked him straight in the eye and said words to his face that he was not happy to hear.
“Anyone who thinks Vladimir Putin will stop if he manages to defeat Ukraine will get what we in Indiana back home call a no-go. He has not the slightest intention of stopping. He has made it clear that he intends to recreate the old Soviet sphere of influence in Eastern Europe”, said Mike Pence.
