Pence: U.S. Will 'Hold Russia Accountable'

[DonViejo]

Source: The Daily Beast

Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday reassured U.S. allies in Europe that the White House would hold Russia accountable for its aggression in eastern Ukraine. Pences comments at the Munich Security Conference in Germany come amid concerns over President Donald Trumps seemingly soft stance on Russia, and just days after the national security adviser stepped down over his questionable ties to the Kremlin. Pence also sought to assuage concerns over Trumps stance on NATO, saying the U.S. would be unwavering in our commitment to this trans-Atlantic alliance and that Trump will stand with Europe. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis offered similar reassurances to European allies earlier this week, prompting a telling reply from Germanys defense minister, Ursula von der Leyen, who singled out the secretary of defenses strong commitment to NATO rather than the presidents. Trump lambasted the alliance as obsolete shortly before taking office, and repeatedly suggested the U.S. could withdraw support of fellow members didnt spend more.

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In Europe, Pence Says U.S. Will Hold Russia Accountable

By KEN THOMAS Published FEBRUARY 18, 2017, 9:20 AM EST

MUNICH (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence vowed Saturday that the United States will "hold Russia accountable" even as President Donald Trump searches for new common ground with Moscow at the start of his presidency.

Pence, in an address to the Munich Security Conference, also offered assurances to European allies that the U.S. "strongly supports" NATO. He said the U.S. would be "unwavering" in its commitment to trans-Atlantic institutions like NATO.

In his first overseas trip as vice president, Pence sought to calm nervous European allies who remain concerned about Russian aggression and have been alarmed by Trump's positive statements about Russian President Vladimir Putin. The address to foreign diplomats and security officials also sought to reassure international partners who worry that Trump may pursue isolationist tendencies.

Pence said the U.S. would demand that Russia honor a 2015 peace deal agreed upon in Minsk, Belarus, to end violence in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russia-backed separatists.

more
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/mike-pence-munich-security-conference

[mpcamb]

1. Sounds like a mighty harsh tongue-lashing is about to occur...

[EL34x4]

8. Coupled with some tough sanctions.

No more hand-painted Matryoshka nesting dolls.

[tenorly]

38. Sounds also like he's gunning for Trump's job.

"Music to their ears," as Chris Hill (former Bush-era Iraq Ambassador and neocon principal) described it.

[egold2604]

2. This is treasonous talk from Drumpf's staff. It goes against what Drumpf wants. He will be gone

Drumpf will not like this from his VP. Pence will be asked to resign because he is not loyal to Drumpf. Mitt Romney will be appointed to the VP slot right before Drumpf resigns.

[EL34x4]

10. Pence isn't saying anything that wasn't OK'd by the boss.

Meaningless bluster from world leaders who need to appear tough. Russian aircraft buzz a warship in the Black Sea, Pence issues strongly-worded statements to reassure Western Europe. Trump and Putin are probably laughing about it to each other.

[mercuryblues]

28. Believe it or not

Pence is the only person in this country benedict Donald can't fire. That is why I think Pence is the leak. He is positioning himself as an outsider of the trump misadministration.

That whole shtick about Flynn lying to him was just for show. Now he is pounding his chest and saying I'll make Russia pay.

The question is will Donnie little hands blab like the baby he is on his way down.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

30. No, this ostensibly tougher stance is for internal US consumption.

It's supposed to make us think Trump isn't in Putin's pocket. The Russians know it's just hot air. Likewise, the Russian ship off the coast of Connecticut and the missile firing were for internal Russian consumption, to remind the Russian people (and other Europeans) that Russia can mess with us and get away with it. Note that SCROTUS hasn't said anything about these incidents. I'm sure he and Putin are still BFFs.

[OnDoutside]

3. He's going to send them an invoice ?

[get the red out]

4. Sent out to lie again

Pence is the administration's Barney Fyfe.

[UCmeNdc]

5. Trump is doing exactly what Putin wants.

Republicans are helping him destroy America.

[gordianot]

6. You have to admit mixed messages are the one thing Republicans do well.

Sort of like fiscal responsibility and tax cuts for the ultra rich, now security while sleeping with the enemy.

[Red Knight]

34. Absolutely.

Lie or just muddle the truth so much that no one knows what the heck you're doing.

I do wonder if Trump thought appeasing Russia would be met with such resistance? He's in over his head.

[nycbos]

7. With what?

A strongly worded letter?

[Cha]

9. uh huh

[Mc Mike]

11. You might want to check the Repug party's Convention Platform, Pence.

You remember, the platform your party adopted, at the same convention where they nominated you to be VP? Where the only change your team made to RNC policy was to eliminate help for Ukraine defending itself against Russia?

He's a smooth, oily, unctuous, facile, repuglinazi 'christian' lying weasel.

[lark]

13. drumpf is following Putin's orders.

Setting up Europe to be taken down when he removes our support because Latvia didn't make it's full payment, even if they had. He'd just lie and say "well someone told me that, I know I saw it somewhere?"

[Mc Mike]

15. You're right, lark.

What I'd like to know is, what all those old line nazi types from the Repug Heritage groups, ABN-OUN, etc., are saying to their followers. All those nazi and neo-nazi types that always backed the repugs, from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Byelorussia, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Rumania, Ukraine, Yugoslavia, Hungary.

Those groups were catered to, under Nixon, Raygun, Poppy. I didn't see any change in that under li'l bush's junta. But this guy, with his copious number of nazi fanboys, seems to be talking to a completely different set of nazis. Young guns, new traditionalists, etc.

Those old-line fascists were obviously special interests the old style repugs felt they needed to cultivate as allies. I can't figure out how this new blatant nazi can get away with obviously betraying all of those nations to Putin's predation. it's as strange a spectacle as watching all those birchers openly back a guy who's a blatant puppet of the most dangerous commie leader in the world.

[dalton99a]

12. Punishment will be 5 lashes with a wet noodle - Trump likes it real wet.

[GeorgeGist]

14. Becoming apparent why Trump chose ...

this particular clown.

[BumRushDaShow]

19. Drumpf didn't choose him

someone else did. He has consistently distanced himself (except at public functions or photo-ops where they have to appear together) as he has his own (and his sponsor's) agenda in mind for the long term.

[Botany]

16. Pence: U.S. Will 'Hold Russia Accountable'

[haele]

17. Well, until his backers have sqeezed every penny they can off the U.S.

And it's okay to start the Armeggeddon so Jesus can come back and pat him on the ass for a "job well done..."

I suspect that he and all the other righteous GawdAwfulWarriors of the US Prosperity Gospel have already set up their short-timer's calendars to start counting down on January 21, 2020. This upcoming four years of the "End Times" will be a period of harvest and hoarding while the population gets separated into what they consider shepards, sheep, and wild animals. And we're the wild animals to them.

Haele

[woundedkarma]

18. This is Pence applying for the job of president.

Republicans are watching, when they're sure Pence is a solid dirtbag just like themselves, Trump will be gone.

[BumRushDaShow]

21. THIS

[mitch96]

35. Pence applying for the job of president.

Pence could not win the EC or the popular vote but tRump did..... with russian help.. If this administration does not dance to Putin's tune they have no need for him any more.. Out come the video of the prostitute pissing contest and anything else they have on him and down he goes...
Who's up next at bat??? Pence... Like a bait and switch he will look 1000% better than #45 and he will be in like Flynn... oops wrong saying...
m

[trof]

20. Is that better or worse than "putting them on notice"?

[keithbvadu2]

22. What a laugh! Trump hold his bff Putin accountable?

[joshdawg]

23. Pence, like his boss, is lying out of his ass.

[bucolic_frolic]

24. Accountable for Ukraine but not for Election Hacking

Nice, Mikey.

[dchill]

25. But Mike: who is going to hold the Russian-compromised...

GOP accountable? Not you, I'll wager.

[Eliot Rosewater]

26. Pence, not qualified to run a 7/11 mini mart let alone the country, is going to be

prez, he knows it and the GOP know it.

[dgibby]

27. I'm sure that was a reassuring message,

considering the messenger is kept out of the loop in the inner sanctum of the White House.

[dubyadiprecession]

29. All this is, is lip service from pence.

Trump supporters need to pay attention for once, as nothing will be done about Russia.

[Tiggeroshii]

31. Hey Pence,draft a declaration to the Speaker and President Pro Temp of the Senate with the majority

Last edited Sat Feb 18, 2017, 02:15 PM - Edit history (1)

of the cabinet signed on, immediately removing the President of the United State and taking his place. Then what you are saying will matter. Until then, shut the fuck up.

[angrychair]

32. Pence is a Russian puppet

Like his boss. If an an actual investigation is done he is out the door with republican45 so the "accountable" means the money being counted.

[DonCoquixote]

33. and this is where Mike Sixpence

auditions for the role of President, with a catchy rendition of "You know I would'nt be as bad as trump."

[Lanius]

36. I need a good laugh and this did it

Talk about doublespeak.

[EarthFirst]

37. (Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiink...) nt

[moondust]

39. No credibility.

And everybody there knows it.

[briv1016]

40. So Donald's going to leave little love bites on Vlad's...

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

41. No more Stolichnaya

But plenty of imported Russian oil.