Pence: 'Freedom is winning in Ukraine'

As the Russia-Ukraine war persists, former Vice President Mike Pence met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Thursday, assuring the Ukrainian leader that he can depend on the 2024 GOP candidate's support "until victory is achieved," CNN reports.

Per CNN, Pence also met with citizens of Irpin, telling them, "The American people are praying with you, supporting you in Ukraine."

The ex-vice president, during an interview with CNN host Erin Burnett in Ukraine, referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "war criminal" emphasizing, "there's no room for Putin apologists in the Republican Party."

Former President Donald Trump, with whom Pence served as Vice President, on the other hand, has refused to condemn Putin's actions and, in fact, said he's "never met anybody smarter."

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CNN notes, "Pence's stance on Ukraine puts him more in line with Democratic President Joe Biden, who made a surprise visit to the nation back in February, demonstrating his commitment to supporting Ukraine."

The former Vice President told the news outlet, "there's debate, both in my party and around the country, about American involvement here, but I really believe that the majority of the American people understand that we are the leader of the free world and standing for freedom and supporting those that are fighting for their freedom is always the American cause."

He then added, "By giving Ukraine what they need to repel the Russian invasion, we're not only going to send a message to Russia that their efforts to redraw international lines by force will not be tolerated. But other nations like China, that's continuing to engage in menacing military actions across the Asia Pacific, will get the message that the free world will stand together, precisely as we’ve done here."

Pence also emphasized the goal of his visit was "to see firsthand the progress that our military support has helped make possible in Ukraine," adding, "And my message to my fellow Americans as I return home will simply be that freedom is winning in Ukraine."

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CNN's full report is available at this link.