On Sunday, former Vice President Mike Pence pushed President Trump to counter Vladimir Putin’s actions and suggested more sanctions against Russia. He commended Trump for the efforts towards peace in Ukraine that stemmed from the recent summit in Alaska.
“Having served with the president for four years, I’m familiar with his approach to these dictators—it’s often a softer touch,” said Pence during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “But, perhaps it’s time for a firmer approach, sooner rather than later.” He urged for a call to Senate Majority Leader John Toon to expedite a secondary sanctions bill that has garnered support from most of the Senate.
Pence labeled Putin as a “bad guy,” asserting that this reality should shape negotiation tactics. Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal have long advocated for a sanctions bill targeting Russia, with over 80 senators backing it.
Despite the urgency, Trump seemed to dismiss the bill, instead issuing a firm ultimatum to Putin: take action toward peace by August 8 or face significant sanctions. This approach was surprising to some.
Pence also expressed concern that Putin might be strategically delaying sanctions that could jeopardize his economy. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the Trump administration for potentially hindering economic sanctions, arguing that doing so could stall peace talks.
“If no dialogue is happening now, then don’t expect any in the near future,” Pence elaborated. He added that he wasn’t surprised the summit didn’t yield a ceasefire agreement, noting that Zelensky had proposed a ceasefire in February, which Putin rejected, prolonging the conflict.
Pence lamented that, in the meantime, Ukrainian civilians continued to suffer from ongoing military assaults. Before the summit, Trump had mentioned to Fox News his dissatisfaction if Russia didn’t agree to a ceasefire.
In a forthcoming meeting set for Monday at the White House, Trump will connect with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accompanied by a group of European leaders. It’s uncertain if the latter will be present at that gathering. Pence expressed hope for a fruitful dialogue among all Western leaders and the president during this session.
