Former Vice President and failed presidential candidate Mike Pence on Sunday went on the assault in opposition to his former boss, accusing President Trump of being too tender on Russia within the ongoing battle with Ukraine and calling on him to convey the “hammer” down.
“I do know his fashion in coping with these dictators. It’s the velvet glove,” Pence mentioned in a rebuke of the President’s cool and picked up dealmaking fashion. “I believe the hammer wants to come back, and it wants to come back instantly.”
Pence made the feedback on CNN’s State of the Union with Jake Tapper.
This comes the day earlier than President Trump plans to host a summit on the White Home with European leaders, together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, to doubtlessly dealer an finish to the struggle in Ukraine. Beforehand, on Friday, Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the place the 2 got here to an settlement to safe peace, pending Ukraine and NATO cooperation.
As The Gateway Pundit reported, Trump introduced early on Saturday that he spoke with Zelensky, European leaders, and the NATO Secretary Basic. The President mentioned on Saturday that he’ll host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the White Home on Monday.
Zelensky can be joined on the White Home by a number of European leaders, together with NATO Secretary Basic Mark Rutte, European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
President Trump can be teasing the opportunity of a trilateral assembly with himself, Zelensky, and Putin as quickly as Friday.
Pence instructed Jake Tapper that the President “ought to select up the cellphone and ask Majority Chief John Thune to to right away move the secondary sanctions invoice” whereas he meets with the leaders on Monday. “Putin solely understands power. So, whereas the President and his diplomatic crew interact on this re-approach with Putin, and there appears to be curiosity, in my judgment, Putin’s not going to cease till he stopped,” Pence mentioned.
Nonetheless, Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday morning outlined the Trump Administration’s stance that secondary sanctions might function a sign from the USA of “strolling away from any prospect of a negotiated settlement right here.”
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Pence: You understand, I served alongside the president for 4 years. I do know his fashion in coping with these dictators. It’s the velvet glove, however I believe the hammer wants to come back, and it wants to come back instantly. I believe the President, as he welcomes President Zelensky to the Oval Workplace tomorrow and an entire solid of our allies in Europe which can be going to be becoming a member of him, I believe on the identical time, he ought to select up the cellphone and ask Majority Chief John Thune to to right away move the secondary sanctions invoice that’s supported by nearly everybody in the USA Senate.
I believe, the mix of engagement, but additionally making it clear to Putin that we’re ready to take actions that will actually break his economic system, even whereas we redouble our dedication to the safety of Ukraine and to working intently with our European allies is vital. Look, I mentioned it earlier than. I will say it once more: Within the lengthy historical past of the final 25 years, Putin has made it clear, he launched an assault into Georgia when President Bush was in workplace. He attacked Crimea in Ukraine when Obama was in workplace.
After that disastrous withdrawal in Afghanistan, he crossed the border and began this struggle three years in the past. Putin has made it no secret of the truth that he desires to reassert the outdated Soviet sphere of affect, what we used to name the evil empire in Jap Europe, and I believe Putin solely understands power. So, whereas the President and his diplomatic crew interact on this re-approach with Putin, and there appears to be curiosity, in my judgment, Putin’s not going to cease till he stopped.
