Pence meets with Zelensky in surprise trip to Ukraine

Former Vice President Mike Pence met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday in a surprise trip to Kyiv. 

Pence, an ardent supporter of Ukraine, is the first 2024 Republican presidential candidate to go to Ukraine to meet Zelensky during their campaign. 

"I believe America’s the leader of the free world," Pence told NBC News about his trip. "I’m here because it’s important that the American people understand the progress that we’ve made and how support for the Ukrainian military has been in our national interest."

He also said being a firsthand witness of the events in Ukraine "just steels my resolve to do my part, to continue to call for strong American support for our Ukrainian friends and allies."

In addition to meeting with Zelensky, Pence is also visiting the Ukrainian cities of Moshchun, Bucha and Irpin, all locations where Russian forces allegedly committed major human rights violations.

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.