Former Vice President Mike Pence attends the Inauguration of Donald J. Trump in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson - Pool/Getty Images)
"The combination of engagement, but also making it clear to Putin that we are prepared to take actions that would literally break his economy even while we redouble our commitment to the security of Ukraine," Pence said.
"The last thing we want to see is for Putin to use this latest delay as a reason to continue this war all the way until the winter hits and the fighting season essentially passes in that part of the world," he added later on. "We can’t allow Vladimir to run out the clock on the war in this year and this season. We literally have to do both things, and that is: the sanctions ought to be on the president’s desk, available for his signature while negotiations begin. That’s the most important way that we will ensure that there’s real progress toward the peace agreement."
Pence, who served as Trump's vice president during his first term, reiterated how Putin attacked Georgia under President George W. Bush, attacked Crimea under President Barack Obama, and invaded Ukraine after "that disastrous withdrawal" from Afghanistan under President Joe Biden.
"Putin's made it no secret to the fact that he wants to reassert the old Soviet sphere of influence, what we used to call the evil empire in Eastern Europe," Pence told CNN's Jake Tapper. "I think Putin only understands strength, so while the president and his diplomatic team engage in this re-approach with Putin, and there seems to be interest, in my judgment, Putin is not going to stop until he's stopped."
Pence said Trump "should be commended for pursuing peace in Ukraine," noting that the president has already secured peace agreements in Africa, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
"I think he deserves credit as leader of the free world for not giving up on Ukraine," Pence said, claiming "there are many voices in and around the administration that would have cut Ukraine loose months ago."
President Donald Trump greets Russian President Vladimir Putin as he arrives at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Aug. 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Minutes before Pence spoke to CNN on Sunday morning, Trump posted to TRUTH Social, teasing: "BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA. STAY TUNED!"
Trump also criticized the media's reporting about his meeting with Putin.
"It’s incredible how the Fake News violently distorts the TRUTH when it comes to me," Trump wrote on social media earlier Sunday. "There is NOTHING I can say or do that would lead them to write or report honestly about me. I had a great meeting in Alaska on Biden’s stupid War, a war that should have never happened!!!"
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"If I got Russia to give up Moscow as part of the Deal, the Fake News, and their PARTNER, the Radical Left Democrats, would say I made a terrible mistake and a very bad deal," Trump added. "That’s why they are the FAKE NEWS! Also, they should talk about the 6 WARS, etc., I JUST STOPPED!!! MAGA."
Danielle Wallace is a breaking news and politics reporter at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on X: @danimwallace.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pence-says-trump-should-bring-hammer-down-putin-immediate-new-sanctions