Russia Keeps Attacking. But Former US Vice-President Mike Pence Says Ukraine Is Winning Anyway

Mike Pence Arrived in Kyiv With a Message Few Are Saying Out Loud

Three and a half years into Russia's full-scale invasion, the conversation around Ukraine has shifted. The early headlines about counteroffensives and battlefield breakthroughs have given way to questions about ammunition, air defence systems and how long Western support can last.

That is why former US Vice-President Mike Pence's latest assessment has drawn attention.

Speaking to CNN after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Pence rejected the growing narrative that the war has reached a dead end. "Ukraine is winning this war," he said. "Ukraine's military on the front lines has fought Russia to a stalemate."

Pence was in Ukraine to attend the country's National Prayer Breakfast, held to mark 35 years since the collapse of the Soviet Union and Ukraine's independence. He also reportedly met Zelenskyy as Russia continued a fresh wave of attacks across the country.

Why Does Pence Believe Ukraine Is Winning?

Pence's argument is not based on dramatic territorial gains.

Instead, it rests on something else: survival.

When Russian forces launched their invasion in February 2022, many Western intelligence agencies believed Kyiv could fall within days. More than four years later, Ukraine remains independent, its government remains in place, and Russian forces have failed to achieve many of their original objectives.

Pence pointed to Ukraine's ability to hold Russia to a stalemate and its growing influence over modern warfare, particularly through drones.

"By essentially reinventing drone warfare, they have taken the fight directly into the heart of Russia," Pence said, noting that Ukrainian forces have carried out strikes inside Russian territory and targeted Russian naval assets in the Black Sea.

Military analysts have repeatedly described Ukraine's large-scale use of drones as one of the defining innovations of the conflict, reshaping how modern wars are fought.

What Did Zelenskyy Tell Pence Behind Closed Doors?

According to Pence, the Ukrainian president's biggest concern is no longer drones.

It is ballistic missiles.

Ukraine has become increasingly effective at intercepting drone attacks. But Russia has expanded the use of ballistic missiles, which are faster, harder to stop and require sophisticated air-defence systems such as Patriot batteries.

Pence said Zelenskyy warned that Russia could soon shift its focus towards Ukraine's energy infrastructure as winter approaches.

"One of the things President Zelenskyy made clear to me is that he fully expects that, as winter approaches sooner than later, that Putin will start to strike... that energy infrastructure," Pence said.

That concern is not theoretical. Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's power grid during previous winters, leaving millions without electricity and heating.

The Bigger Problem: Is Ukraine Running Out of Air Defences?

One of the most significant developments in recent weeks has been growing concern over interceptor shortages.

US military stockpiles of Patriot interceptors have come under pressure after extensive deployments linked to tensions involving Iran and the wider Middle East.

Pence acknowledged the challenge but rejected suggestions that Ukraine is paying the price for America's military commitments elsewhere.

"I don't see it that way, and I don't think the Ukrainians do either," he told CNN.

Instead, he suggested that allies such as South Korea could help fill the gap by supplying advanced interceptor systems to the United States or its partners.

Why Mike Pence's Ukraine Visit Matters

Pence has been one of the most consistently pro-Ukraine voices within the Republican Party.

Even after leaving office, he has repeatedly argued that supporting Ukraine serves American interests, warning that a Russian victory could destabilise Europe and increase security risks for NATO allies.

His latest visit also comes at a politically sensitive moment. Debates over military aid, weapons stockpiles and the future of Western support continue to dominate discussions in Washington and across Europe.

The War's Next Test Is Winter

For Ukraine, the next few months may prove as important as any battlefield offensive.

The country has demonstrated remarkable resilience since 2022. But resilience alone does not keep power stations running or intercept incoming missiles.

Pence left Kyiv convinced that Ukraine's determination remains intact.

"The sense you have of the deep resolve, not only of the leadership from President Zelenskyy on down, but rank-and-file military, everyday Ukrainians, is palpable," he said.

The question now is whether that resolve will be matched by the weapons and support Ukraine says it needs before another winter arrives.

(With inputs from ANI)