Former Vice President Mike Pence expressed his opinion that former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) do not understand the importance of sending funds to Ukraine.
Trump and DeSantis were out of touch with Americans and their desire to assist Ukraine in fighting against Russia, Pence claimed of his political opponents in the upcoming Republican primary. He argued the point that continued aid to Ukraine would deter China from making an attack.
“With all due respect, I think the former president and the governor of Florida just don’t understand Americans’ national interest in supporting the Ukrainian military in repelling the Russian military in Ukraine,” Pence told the Associated Press during an interview before his campaign event in Sioux City, Iowa.
Pence’s words came after he made a surprise visit to Ukraine last week to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During his visit, Pence vouched to continue to support Ukraine during its war with Russia.
Former Vice President Mike Pence, who has called for robust aid to the Ukrainian military, said the United States' commitment to keeping Russia in check signals its willingness to also hold China's military ambitions in check in Asia.https://t.co/WG3eRharmk
— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) July 6, 2023
“We’re in the heat of the fighting season,” Pence told the AP. “Ukrainians are making progress.”
While Pence has previously expressed his support for sending funds to Ukraine, he has said that there is no need to send American military troops into Ukraine.
Pence has also criticized the Biden Administration for its slow response to sending aid to Ukraine.
“If we don’t stand apart, if we don’t give the Ukrainian military what they need to defeat and repel the Russian invasion, I’m convinced that the second half of the 21st century will look a great deal more like the first half of the 20th century,” Pence told the AP.
Both Trump and DeSantis have said they feel it is not in the United States’ best interests to get involved in the Ukraine-Russia war, according to NPR.
An East Carolina University poll released in June showed 59% of Republican voters said they would vote for Trump; 15% said they would vote for DeSantis; and 5% said they would vote for Pence.
A similar poll conducted in June by NBC News showed 51% of people said they would vote for Trump; 22% said they would vote for DeSantis; and 7% said they would vote for Pence.
