Pence Declines To Directly Attack Trump On Ukraine: "Others In This Republican Primary" Called War "Territorial Dispute"
Posted By Tim Hains July 2, 2023
ABC's Jonathan Karl asked former Vice President Mike Pence to be a little bit more direct in the way he talks about former President Trump's position on Ukraine: "You said that you know the difference between a genius and a war criminal, referring to Putin. Obviously, it's President Trump who said that the invasion of Ukraine was genius. So are you saying, essentially, that Donald Trump is an apologist to Putin? Because in the very same sentence, you said that there is no room in the Republican Party for apologists to Putin."
Pence declined to take a direct shot at Trump.
JONATHAN KARL, ABC NEWS: We only have a couple of minutes left. So I want to get to Ukraine. You just met with President Zelenskyy in Ukraine. President Trump, in a recent interview, said that "territorial concessions" would be a matter for – subject to negotiation. Speaking with Zelenskyy, did you get the sense that he's ready to consider territorial concessions to Russia to get peace?
MIKE PENCE: Jon, I believe that America is the leader of the free world. We're the arsenal of democracy. And I went to Ukraine and was privileged to meet with President Zelenskyy just a few days ago, to tell him that "The American people are with you."
You know, I met with courageous soldiers who, using Javelin missiles that America provided to them, literally turned back Russian tanks in the small town of Moshchun. I met with families whose homes had been shelled. I saw the courage and the resolve of the people of Ukraine. And I would tell you that I think – I think it's absolutely essential, and it's in our national interest that we continue to provide Ukraine with the military resources they need to drive the Russian military out of the territory of Ukraine and reclaim their sovereignty.
Jon, I think President Biden has failed miserably to explain our national interest here. He's given these gauzy speeches about democracy, the reason we're there. Look, we're there because it's in our national interest to give the Ukrainian military the ability to rebut and defeat Russian aggression. Because if Russia overran Ukraine, I have no doubt, Jon, that it wouldn't be too long before they crossed a border where American servicemen and women would be required to go and fight.
KARL: But I was asking you about President Trump and his suggestion there would be territorial concessions.
Let me just ask one more question. You said that you know the difference between a genius and a war criminal, referring to Putin. Obviously, it's President Trump who said that the invasion of Ukraine was genius. So are you saying, essentially, that Donald Trump is an apologist to Putin? Because in the very same sentence, you said that there is no room in the Republican Party for apologists to Putin. I mean, you're clearly talking about Donald Trump here, right?
PENCE: Well, look and, look, others in this Republican primary have said that it was a territorial dispute. And let me be very clear. I do know the difference between a genius and a war criminal, and Vladimir Putin's unconscionable and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine was an act of naked aggression. And I was I was literally on the streets of the city where more than 500 civilians were gunned down by the Russian military.
I mean, the Russian military's conduct, on an ongoing basis, is not just it's not just about warfare. It's evil. And I think that's another reason why we we must continue to provide the Ukrainian military with what they need. But I want to be clear here. The what I heard from President Zelenskyy and military leaders in the briefing that I received was that there is there is a great need. They're beginning to make progress on the front lines, Jon. It was a very wet spring, but – but now it's dried out. And they said they're making steady progress every day against that huge Russian military. But he said, "Look, we need the tanks. We need the aircraft. We need more munitions."
The Biden administration promised 33 Abrams tanks in January, and now they're telling the Ukrainians they won't be there until September. They they've several of our NATO allies who said "We'll provide F-16s; we've agreed to train the pilots," but they're telling them they won't have them until January. President Biden says, "We're there as long as it takes."
Well, Jon, I say honestly, it shouldn't take that long. We're the most powerful nation on Earth. By providing the Ukrainian military with the support on a more – on a more quick basis, I believe they can take the fight to these Russians; they can drive them out. And ultimately, when Ukraine is secure, I believe Europe will be more secure, I believe Europe will be more secure, but I also believe it sends a deafening message to the Communist China regime of President Xi, that the United States and the West will not tolerate the use of military force to redraw international lines.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2023/07/02/mike_pence_declines_to_directly_attack_trump_on_ukraine_others_in_this_primary_have_called_war_a_territorial_dispute.html