Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence attends a meeting with Ukraine鈥檚 President Volodymyr Zelensky, amid Russia鈥檚 attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 29, 2023. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS
Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, who is running for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election, made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Thursday to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky.
鈥淔reedom is winning in Ukraine, and now more than ever, we need to keep faith with the courageous fighters here in Ukraine who are standing for freedom and pushing back on Russian aggression,鈥� Pence told reporters after meeting with Zelensky.
Pence is the first Republican presidential candidate to meet Zelensky during the campaign.
Pence has been a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and full-throated supporter of Ukraine, as he takes on his former boss Donald Trump for their party鈥檚 nomination.
Trump has declined to say he wants Ukraine to win the war, instead saying he wants a negotiated solution between Russia and Ukraine.
Pence trails Trump by over 30 points in most opinion polls among Republican voters who will chose the candidate to take on Democratic President Joe Biden.
Pence laid flowers at The Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine in Kyiv. He traveled to Ukraine with Samaritan鈥檚 Purse, a U.S.-based charity that has been providing humanitarian aid to Ukrainian civilians, a Pence adviser said.
The U.S. government has provided more than $40 billion in weaponry and other military aid to Ukraine. Solid majorities of Americans support providing weaponry to Ukraine, according to a Reuters/Ipsos survey.
Pence also received a briefing from Ukrainian officials about Russian human rights violations since Russian forces invaded Ukraine 16 months ago.
The Ukraine war issue has divided Republican presidential candidates.
Former President Trump鈥檚 closest rival for the nomination, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, has questioned the amount of aid that should be provided for Ukraine, while Nikki Haley, Trump鈥檚 former U.N. ambassador, and U.S. South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, back continuing support.
鈥淎merican support for Ukraine is vital 鈥� from all Americans, every American family, all US civil society, all political leaders, Congress 鈥� both parties and of course, from U.S. President Biden,鈥� Zelenskiy said in his nightly address, thanking Americans. He and Pence 鈥渢alked about arms, our soldiers鈥� capabilities, and our common values,鈥� Zelensky said.