Pence rebukes Trump, stresses Russia's role in Ukraine war

Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, associated with the Republican Party, publicly criticised Donald Trump for his statements about the war in Ukraine. In his post on the X platform, Pence highlighted that it is Russia, not Ukraine, that initiated 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 24 February 2022, the day of the Russian attack. Fox News, generally favourable to Trump, wrote at the time: "Russia invades Ukraine in largest European attack since WWII."

Pence, a former congressman, senator, and vice president, is currently out of politics and remains out of favour with Trump since 6 January 2021, the day when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol. This rift arose as Pence, 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 about Ukraine. Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska stated that she "certainly would not call President Zelensky a dictator." Similar sentiments were expressed by Senators Susan Collins from Maine and John Kennedy from Louisiana, who referred to Vladimir Putin as 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.