Pence Slams Trump’s Approach to Putin Peace Talks
Former Vice President Mike Pence criticized Donald Trump’s handling of Russian President Vladimir Putin following their recent summit, arguing that the former president continues to treat authoritarian leaders too gently.
Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union Sunday, Pence told anchor Jake Tapper that Trump has long approached dictators with “a velvet glove” when what’s needed is “a hammer.” He emphasized that Putin should be met with decisive strength, not concessions.
Tapper pressed Pence on Trump’s shifting stance toward Ukraine, pointing out that Trump initially suggested Russia would face “severe consequences” without an immediate ceasefire but later backed away from that demand. Instead, Trump hinted that peace could come quickly—if Ukraine accepted Russia’s control of the Donbas region.
“Five Ukrainians were killed just last night,” Tapper noted. “Some of Trump’s own supporters now believe he got outmaneuvered by Putin.”
Pence responded by stressing that Putin “only understands strength.” He urged the administration to pair diplomatic outreach with concrete actions, including passage of secondary sanctions legislation supported by most of the Senate. According to Pence, such measures could “literally break [Putin’s] economy” while reaffirming U.S. and European support for Ukraine.
“President Zelenskyy will be in the Oval Office tomorrow, alongside our European allies,” Pence said. “That’s the time to show unity and resolve.”
He warned that without firm action, Putin will push forward unchecked: “He’s not going to stop until he’s stopped.”
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a sharper perspective during a heated exchange on CBS’s Face the Nation. When host Margaret Brennan suggested she knew the dynamics of the summit better than he did, Rubio pushed back forcefully, making clear that the administration’s position was far more complex than critics—or Trump—were portraying.