Pence and Trump had a very public falling out. But that isn’t stopping the former vice president from criticizing the current administration.
And Mike Pence made one demand to President Trump that has him losing his mind.
Pence Presses Trump to Crack Down on Putin Amid Ukraine Peace Efforts
Former Vice President Mike Pence called on President Donald Trump to intensify pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, advocating for immediate sanctions to strengthen Ukraine peace talks. Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, Pence praised Trump’s diplomatic push at the recent Alaska summit with Putin but urged a tougher approach to secure a lasting resolution.
“I served alongside the president for four years. I know his style in dealing with these dictators. It’s the velvet glove, but I think the hammer needs to come, and it needs to come immediately,” Pence stated.
He pressed Trump to “pick up the phone and ask Majority Leader John Thune to immediately pass the secondary sanctions bill that is supported by virtually everyone in the United States Senate.”
The bipartisan sanctions bill, led by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), has rallied over 80 senators, aiming to tighten Russia’s economic constraints. Pence labeled Putin “the bad guy,” emphasizing the need for a firm stance in negotiations.
Trump’s Focus on Diplomacy
Trump, however, dismissed the bill as unnecessary, favoring direct talks. Before the summit, he issued Putin an ultimatum: advance peace by August 8 or face harsh sanctions and tariffs.
After Putin met with envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, Trump paused the penalties and held the summit, seeking a diplomatic breakthrough.
Pence warned that Putin might be stalling to dodge sanctions that could devastate Russia’s economy. He also noted Russia’s ongoing “brutal assault on civilian populations in Ukraine.”
Rubio Defends Strategic Patience
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the administration’s strategy, arguing on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures that sanctions could derail talks.
“You’re saying talks are over. For the foreseeable future, for the next year or year-and-a-half, there’s no more talks, because there’s no one else in the world that can talk to him (Putin),” Rubio said.
The Alaska summit failed to secure a ceasefire, a result Pence said he “was not surprised” by, citing Putin’s rejection of a February ceasefire offer from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “He’s managed to delay the game,” Pence noted.
Zelensky’s White House Visit
Trump, who had hoped for a ceasefire, told Fox News he wouldn’t be “happy” without one. Post-summit, he pivoted to pursuing a full peace deal.
The president met Zelensky at the White House on Monday, joined by European leaders, though at the time of writing, their role in the meeting is unclear.
Pence expressed optimism, saying, “I’m also going to be praying that it’s a productive time and a unifying time among all the leaders in the West and the president and President Zelensky.”
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