Former Vice President and 2024 GOP presidential candidate Mike Pence has come under scrutiny for defending the Ukrainian government’s crackdown on Christianity during an interview with Tucker Carlson. Pence echoed the Ukrainian government’s claims that the churches and clergymen who were targeted were collaborating with the Russians.
During the interview, Pence argued that the Ukrainian government, under President Volodymyr Zelensky, was respecting religious liberty. He acknowledged that there were elements of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine that were being used to advance the Russian cause, but he praised the government for taking steps to hold them accountable.
To support his claims, Pence mentioned a conversation he had with the leader of St. Michael’s Cathedral in Kiev, a church that has been used for propaganda purposes during the conflict with Russia. According to Pence, the leader of the church assured him that the Zelensky government was respecting religious freedom.
However, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Despite the claims by St. Michael’s Cathedral, the Ukrainian government has cracked down on Christianity and has even arrested Orthodox priests. These arrests were justified by the government, citing alleged links between the priests’ churches and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war efforts.
Tucker Carlson challenged Pence on his support for the arrest of Christians with differing views, questioning how a Christian leader could endorse such actions. Pence, seemingly taken aback, stated that he had asked the Christian leader in Kiev about the arrests, and he had been assured that no priests had been arrested. This baffled Carlson, leading him to wonder why there seemed to be a discrepancy in the information.
The issue of religious freedom in Ukraine intersects with other concerns about the Zelensky government. It has been accused of attacking the free press, including imprisoning an American citizen journalist and shutting down press outlets that don’t align with the government’s agenda. Furthermore, Zelensky recently announced the cancellation of the upcoming elections, citing the ongoing state of emergency due to the war with Russia. This decision has raised concerns about the ability of Ukrainian citizens to have a say in ending the hostilities.
Despite the inconsistencies and controversies surrounding Ukraine’s treatment of Christianity and its broader political landscape, Pence chose to close off further discussion on the issue during the interview, stating that he respected Carlson’s opinion on Ukraine and expected the same in return.
The interview has sparked a debate about the role of the United States in supporting Ukraine and the implications of endorsing a government that suppresses religious freedom and curtails democratic processes. It remains to be seen how these issues will play out in the 2024 presidential campaign and whether Pence’s defense of Ukraine’s actions will affect his political prospects.
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