Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo suggested the chairman Joe Biden was to blame for the Russian president Vladimir Putinthe invasion of Ukraine during his speech on Friday morning at the Conference on Conservative Political Action.
“We have seen a Russian dictator terrorize the Ukrainian people because America is not demonstrating the determination we made four years ago,” said Pompeo, a former president. Donald TrumpDirector of the CIA before heading the country.
He boasted that the previous administration was more skilled than the current one.
“And I remember, I remember, we were barbarians, we were rubies, we didn’t know what we were doing,” he told the crowd. – I am already quite competent.
“I say this not out of joy, but out of grief, because America requires good leadership and the world depends on it,” he continued.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has suggested that President Joe Biden is to blame for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine during his appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday morning.
Pompeo has been criticized for praising Putin on the eve of the Russian president’s deadly attack on his sovereign neighbor.
In a February 18 interview with National Interest, Pompeo described Putin as “very smart” and “very perceptive.”
“I consider him an elegantly refined double and a man who is not reckless, but has always done mathematics,” he said.
Five days later, while traveling to Iowa, Pompeo continued to compliment Putin, but said he needed to be “crushed.”
“Vladimir Putin is smart, cunning and capable. He is also evil and must be crushed, “Pompeo said told The Des Moines Register.
“I was taught that you have to know your opponent, you have to know your enemy. You should not pretend that your enemy is weak, “Pompeo added.
On Friday before his CPAC experience, Pompeo did not say whether he regretted his language when a reporter for NBC News He said he had called Putin “shrewd” and “capable” and said he had “great respect” for the Russian dictator.
“I have been fighting communism since I was a teenager. I will continue to fight communism, “Pompeo replied.
His left foot was in a boot, so he was riding a scooter through the Orlando conference.
NBC’s Von Hilliard tried again, asking Pompeo if he regretted his language.
“I have worked all my life to make sure that the United States is free from communist dictatorships, I understand my enemy, I always call my enemy what he is,” Pompeo said.
Pompeo remained silent when asked why he spoke words that sounded like “soft praise” to Putin.
Trump has been more outspoken about his stance on Putin all week, describing him as “genius” and “smart” before the invasion.
The former president also insisted that the attack would not have happened if he had remained in the White House.
State Department spokesman Ned Price was asked about Trump and Pompeo’s comments at a briefing Wednesday.
‘I do not have an answer. In fact, I have no words, “Price said.
Pompeo is among Republicans seen as presidential material for 2024, although he is unlikely to run if Trump enters the race.
One clue that he may have higher ambitions is his 90-pound loss in six months.
As he walked the stage of the CPAC – without a scooter – one of the audience praised his new look.
“This is a difficult job and a prayer that I can break it with all of you. I will appreciate it, “he said.
Asked by DailyMail.com how he injured his leg, he will not say.
“I’m fine, God takes care of that,” Pompeo said as he walked away.