The Ally of Trump and Ukraine’s Defender: Mike Pompeo Discusses War, Peace, and U.S. Strategy

Mike Pompeo, a staunch Republican and former U.S. Secretary of State under President Donald Trump, remains a committed ally to Trump and continues to support his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election. Pompeo, known for his firm positions, has expressed his willingness to once again "serve America" if Trump wins the presidency and invites him back into the administration.

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Pompeo has been vocal in his support for Ukraine. Early in the war, he labeled Russia’s actions as genocide and has consistently advocated for increasing military aid to Ukraine. He emphasizes the importance of swift and decisive actions from the United States. Pompeo has also been critical of the Biden administration, particularly regarding its approach to the war in Ukraine.

In November 2023, Mike Pompeo joined the board of directors of Kyivstar, Ukraine's largest telecommunications company, as an independent executive director. This marked a significant moment in his ongoing involvement with Ukraine, underscoring his commitment to supporting the country.

During his recent trip, Pompeo attended the "YES – 2024" conference in Kyiv and met with President Zelensky. In their meeting, Zelensky expressed gratitude for the military and financial support provided by the U.S. and reminded Pompeo that Ukraine requires long-range weaponry to continue defending its territory. The former military officer, CIA director, and Secretary of State also shared his insights on the ongoing war and its potential conclusion in an exclusive interview with Ukrainian Pravda.

"Support Has Been Insufficient and Too Slow"

When asked about the current U.S. administration’s approach to supporting Ukraine during the war, Pompeo didn’t hold back.

“The administration has provided support, which is good. However, that support has been too slow. It came in increments, and some of the weapons and tools provided were limited in functionality. There has also been a lack of intelligence sharing, from what I understand. So, in the end, the support has been insufficient and too slow.”

Pompeo also criticized the Biden administration's communication strategy, noting that they spent the first two years of the conflict talking about what they would not do, particularly fearing escalation with Russia. He believes this was a mistake.

"Even if you have no intention of doing something, don’t announce it. You should speak about what you plan to do and the outcomes you seek. If you do this, your adversary will always be a step behind, rather than your partner—in this case, Ukraine."

When asked whether the U.S. might soon authorize strikes deep into Russian territory, Pompeo responded, “I don’t know. I’m not part of that administration.”

Regarding Ukraine's recent military actions in Russia’s Kursk region, Pompeo praised the Ukrainian forces.

"It was brilliantly executed, catching the enemy completely off guard, which is crucial. I was a soldier a long time ago, and I hope Ukrainian forces can hold this territory effectively. And I hope they can secure other areas too."

Pompeo expressed hope that additional resources would come from Ukraine’s partners, stressing the importance of Ukraine’s success not only for the country but also for Europe and the United States.

"A Peace Plan"

Pompeo has also contributed to discussions on peace strategies. In a column for The Wall Street Journal, he outlined what a potential peace plan under Trump’s leadership could look like. His vision includes increasing military aid to Ukraine and securing its membership in both the European Union and NATO. In the column, Pompeo stated that “the war stops immediately,” if Trump is elected.

When asked to elaborate on how this could be achieved, Pompeo explained that his approach would restore deterrence.

“During Trump’s four years in office, Vladimir Putin did not invade Ukraine. He invaded Ukraine under Obama, and he did it again under Biden. Why?”

While the war in Ukraine had been ongoing, Pompeo argued that Putin hadn’t claimed new territory or launched further invasions during Trump’s term. He attributed this to strong American leadership, which showed Putin that the cost of taking more of Ukraine would be too high.

Pompeo admitted he couldn’t predict which territories would return to Ukraine, leaving that decision to President Zelensky. However, he emphasized that the world needs an outcome that both looks and is perceived as a defeat for Putin and Russia.

“The understanding that Putin has lost is crucial. We must restore deterrence and convince China’s Xi Jinping, North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, and Iran’s ayatollah that aggression won’t bring them victory. President Biden has failed to do this in both the Middle East and Ukraine."

Pompeo stressed that U.S. leadership must clearly communicate that any further aggression would come at an unbearable cost for Russia.

"Without such a message, bad actors on the global stage feel empowered to continue their reckless actions, as we’ve seen with China ramming ships in the Pacific."

Pompeo acknowledged that Russia may not willingly return Crimea but reiterated that continuing the conflict must be made too costly for Putin. He also compared the situation to basic principles of human behavior.

"It's like telling a child, 'If you throw food on the table again, you’ll go to your room,' and then doing nothing when they do. You’ve lost control. It’s the same with international relations: if you draw a red line, you must enforce it."

Sanctions Are Insufficient

Pompeo also addressed economic sanctions, arguing that they have been inadequate. According to him, the sanctions imposed by the Biden administration lacked enforcement, which rendered them ineffective.

“When sanctions aren’t enforced, it’s no different from drawing a red line and then ignoring it. It’s a terrible incentive for bad actors.”

Pompeo stressed that Russia needs to understand that the old economic model no longer exists. Western countries, especially Germany, must stop relying on Russian gas, and the West must adopt alternative energy sources. He believes that failing to do so only strengthens Putin’s position.

"The Issue with Selling to Russia"

When questioned about whether countries should sell anything to Russia, Pompeo was clear in his disapproval.

“I hope we’re not selling weapons parts to Russia. I know black markets exist, but we should be doing everything we can to minimize this."

Pompeo also highlighted the issue of American components found in Iranian missile systems, showing the difficulty of controlling black market sales. However, he believes that stricter controls and enforcement can reduce these incidents.

If Trump Wins the Presidency

The conversation turned to the possibility of Trump being re-elected as President. Pompeo was asked whether he would accept a role as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia if Trump offered it.

“I haven’t thought about it, but if Trump wins and asks for my help, I would do whatever I can to make a difference. He hasn’t asked me yet, but if he does, and I think I can help, I’m always ready to serve America.”

When asked how Ukraine should engage with the U.S. and its allies to ensure its interests are fully represented in any potential peace negotiations, Pompeo expressed confidence in Ukraine’s ability to secure its interests.

"I believe President Zelensky will want to lead these talks, and he’ll make the decisions. It’s important for him to clearly communicate to the Ukrainian people why he makes certain decisions during these difficult negotiations."

Pompeo concluded that while Ukraine has suffered immensely, he is confident that Zelensky and the Ukrainian people will make the right choices.

Conclusion

Mike Pompeo remains a key figure in the global conversation surrounding the war in Ukraine. His steadfast support for Ukraine, criticism of the Biden administration’s approach, and potential involvement in future U.S. leadership under Trump position him as a significant voice on the geopolitical stage.

Pompeo's views on deterrence, economic sanctions, and the broader global implications of Russia’s actions highlight the complexities of ending the war in Ukraine. While the path to peace is fraught with challenges, Pompeo believes that firm U.S. leadership can make a difference in securing a just outcome for Ukraine and restoring global stability.