Pence rebukes trump's Ukraine stance, cites Russian aggression

Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, associated with the Republican Party, publicly criticized Donald Trump for his statements about the war in Ukraine. Pence, in his post on the X platform, pointed out that it is Russia, not Ukraine, that is responsible for starting the conflict.

"Mr. President, Ukraine did not 'start' this war," wrote Pence. "Russia launched an unprovoked and brutal invasion claiming hundreds of thousands of lives. The Road to Peace must be built on the Truth," he stressed.

In his post, Pence included a link to an article on the Fox News website dated February 24, 2022, the day of the Russian attack. Fox News, a station favourable to Trump, wrote at the time: "Russia invades Ukraine in largest European attack since WWII."

Pence, a former congressman, senator, and vice-president, currently out of politics, has remained out of favour with Trump since January 6, 2021, the day when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol. On that day, he, contrary to Trump's pressures, performed a lawful formal certification of Joe Biden's election as President of the USA.

Few members of the Republican Party have dared to publicly oppose Trump's recent statements directed at Ukraine. Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska stated that she "certainly would not call President Zelensky a dictator." Similar positions were taken by Senators Susan Collins from Maine and John Kennedy from Louisiana, who called Vladimir Putin a "gangster." Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina added that the war is due to "one human being on the face of this planet. It was Vladimir Putin."

The BBC noted that if any conclusions can be drawn from past events, the statements of these Republican politicians will not translate into changes in U.S. foreign policy. "Presidents have broad powers in international relations, and Trump has been clear about his views on Ukraine for years," it pointed out.