Mike Pompeo on Russia
TL;DR
Mike Pompeo generally views Russia as an aggressive geopolitical adversary that threatens European stability and must be confronted.
Key Points
He stated in a 2022 speech that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was a "planned genocide" intended to establish a "new Russian Empire."
During his confirmation hearing, Mike Pompeo asserted Russia aggressively moved to occupy Ukraine and threatened Europe.
He raised the issue of Russian election interference with President Putin during a meeting in Sochi in May 2019.
Summary
Mike Pompeo has consistently adopted a hawkish posture regarding Russia, particularly concerning its military actions and interference in international affairs. During his confirmation hearing, he directly stated that Russia had "aggressively" reasserted itself by invading and occupying Ukraine, while simultaneously failing to adequately aid in the defeat of ISIS. He further characterized Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "dictator" following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, though he has also maintained that China poses a greater long-term national security threat to the United States. His view of Russia's intent includes describing the 2022 invasion as a step toward creating a "new Russian Empire" similar to the Soviet Union, designed to control vast energy reserves.
His tenure included both confrontation and, at times, seemingly contradictory praise. For instance, while Secretary of State, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in 2019, where he raised the issue of Russian election interference. Earlier in his career, he had called for a re-establishment of extensive NSA data collection, which implicitly targeted foreign intelligence gathering. Furthermore, prior to the 2022 invasion, he had given an interview where he appeared to praise Putin, an interview later aired on Russian state television.
Key Quotes
"Russia might be benefiting from higher oil prices – for a bit. But when the US topples the Islamic Republic's capabilities, it will seriously damage Putin's geopolitical project."
... Why did Putin invade Europe under Obama and Biden, but not Trump?
Frequently Asked Questions
Mike Pompeo's general position views Russia as a primary geopolitical adversary that has aggressively acted against sovereign nations like Ukraine. As Secretary of State, he raised concerns about Russian interference in U.S. elections. However, he has also stated that he believes China presents a greater long-term national security threat than Russia.
Yes, reports indicate that Mike Pompeo gave an interview praising Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022, just before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This interview was subsequently aired on Russian state television, though he later called Putin a 'dictator' over the invasion.
Mike Pompeo has strongly condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine, calling the invasion a 'planned genocide' aimed at creating a modern empire. He previously noted, during his confirmation, Russia's aggressive invasion and occupation of Ukraine as a major threat to Europe.
Sources2
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.