Former vp and current presidential candidate Mike Pence paid an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Thursday, becoming the primary declared Republican 2024 candidate to satisfy with Kiev President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The 64-year-old traveled with Samaritan’s Purse, an evangelical Christian relief organization that the previous vp had previously accompanied to Poland and Ukraine, a Pence adviser said.
“It’s greater than politics,” Pence said he said NBC News.
“I really imagine that if Vladimir Putin and the Russian army invaded Ukraine, it would not be long before they crossed the border where our men and girls would need to fight,” he continued.
![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former Vice President Mike Pence in Kiev, June 29, 2023.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000013384594.jpg?w=1024)
![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former Vice President Mike Pence in Kiev, June 29, 2023.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000013384353.jpg?w=1024)
![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former Vice President Mike Pence in Kiev, June 29, 2023.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000013384354.jpg?w=1024)
Pence has been one of the crucial outspoken Republicans supporting Ukraine’s efforts to repel the 16-month Russian invasion, while other distinguished members of his party have publicly questioned the worth of ongoing US military aid.
Zelensky tweeted that he and Pence “discussed our defense, interactions between our peoples, security cooperation, and the importance of partner determination and confidence regarding Ukraine’s future NATO membership.”
The President of Ukraine added: “The support of the USA for our fight for freedom is crucial. The support of all Americans, every American family, all civil society groups, Congress – each parties, each houses, and in fact, the support of President Joe Biden. I’m grateful for this support!”
![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former Vice President Mike Pence in Kiev, June 29, 2023.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000013384349.jpg?w=1024)
![Mike Pence in Ukraine June 29, 2023](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000013381068.jpg?w=1024)
Along with the meeting with Zelensky, the previous vp was briefed on human rights violations committed by Russian forces, including the kidnapping of Ukrainian children.
Pence was also shown across the sites of Russian atrocities in the Kiev suburbs of Moshchun, Bucha and Irpin, and laid flowers near the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen on the historic St. Michael.
“I think America is the leader of the free world,” Pence told NBC News. “But coming here as an strange citizen – having the ability to really see first hand the heroism of the Ukrainian soldiers holding the road in these woods, see the heroism of the people here in Irpin who held back the Russian army, see the families whose homes were literally shot at in a mindless and unprovoked Russian invasion – only reinforces my resolve to do my part to proceed calling for strong American support for our Ukrainian friends and allies.”
Americans seem divided over the prospects of further support for Ukraine. An NBC News poll released this week found that 40% of voters can be less more likely to support a candidate who backed additional funds and weapons for Ukraine, while 37% said they might be more more likely to support such a candidate.
“Let’s let the polls and politics handle themselves,” Pence said. in the unprovoked invasion of the Russian army and the progress they’ve made in repelling that army.”
Ukraine’s ongoing counter-offensive against Russia has apparently been bolstered by the revolt of Wagner’s mercenary group against the Kremlin last week.
![former Vice President Mike Pence](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000012701357-2.jpg?w=1024)
![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presents an award to one of his soldiers.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000013327794.jpg?w=1024)
Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was annoyed by Moscow’s move to include its forces into the Russian military and claimed that a friendly rocket attack had killed a few of his men.
Wagner’s drive towards Moscow ended some 120 miles south of the capital, and Prigozhin agreed to be exiled to Belarus along with his fighters who had taken part in the attempted coup.
Pence ranks third amongst Republican candidates nationally with 5.7%, in accordance with the RealClearPolitics average, behind former President Donald Trump (52.4%) and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (21.5%).