Mike Pence makes a surprise trip to Ukraine and meets with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

“I'm here because it's important that the American people understand the progress that we've made and how support for the Ukrainian military has been in our national interest,” he told the network.

“I truly do believe that now, more than ever, we need leaders in our country who will articulate the importance of American leadership in the world.” In addition to his meeting with Zelenskyy, Pence received multiple briefings, including one from Ukrainian officials on the country's current security situation and one on allegations of human rights violations by Russians accused of abducting Ukrainian children in a bid to weaken Ukrainian resolve, the adviser said.

Pence also participated in a commemoration ceremony to honour Ukrainians killed during the defense of Moshchun during Russia's offensive and visited the destroyed Romanov Bridge, where he was briefed on the civilian evacuation efforts.

Pence visited St. Andrew's Church and Pyervozvannoho All Saints in Bucha, the site of a civilian mass burial site, and laid flowers at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine at St. Michael's Cathedral in Kyiv.

The trip was the second by Pence to the region. In March 2022, he made an unannounced visit to the Ukrainian border with Poland, where he crossed into Ukraine and helped deliver aid to the flood of refugees who escaping the war's initial invasion.

Both trips were arranged by Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian humanitarian aid organization.

Pence's GOP rivals have been far less eager to push for more US involvement in Ukraine, reflecting broader scepticism within the party.

A February poll from The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research found only about a quarter of Americans — 26 per cent — believe the US should have a major role in the conflict, down from as high as 40 per cent in March 2022. Among Republicans that number is even lower, with the number saying the US should have a major role dropping to just 17 per cent.

Both former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who are also seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, have said the defence of Ukraine is not a vital US national security interest.

Trump has stressed the humanitarian cost of the war and called for its end. DeSantis once called the Russian invasion a “territorial dispute", but later walked back those comments in the face of criticism.