Zelensky Faces GOP Backlash Over U.S. Artillery Plant Visit

Republican leaders are lashing out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over his recent visit to a manufacturing plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Zelensky, in the U.S. for the United Nations General Assembly, took time to tour a facility that produces artillery shells used in the war against Russia, expressing gratitude to the workers and aiming to strengthen ties between the plant and Ukrainian factories. The visit, however, has sparked backlash from prominent Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who accused the visit of being a politically motivated event designed to benefit Democrats ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

Zelensky’s visit to the Scranton plant on Sunday drew attention because of its connection to the war effort in Ukraine. The facility manufactures 155 mm artillery shells that are being supplied to Ukraine through U.S. military aid. During his visit, Zelensky thanked the workers for their contributions to the defense of Ukraine and discussed the possibility of expanding collaboration between the Pennsylvania plant and factories in Zaporizhzhia, a Ukrainian city heavily impacted by the war. The Ukrainian president did not mention the upcoming U.S. election during his appearance, but the political ramifications of his visit have become a flashpoint for Republican criticism.

Speaker Mike Johnson led the charge, arguing that Zelensky’s visit was more than just a gesture of appreciation. Johnson claimed that the tour was “clearly a partisan campaign event designed to help Democrats” and pointed to Pennsylvania’s importance as a battleground state in U.S. elections. He was particularly critical of the fact that no Republican lawmakers were present during the visit, while Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, whom Johnson referred to as “a top political surrogate for Kamala Harris,” accompanied Zelensky. Johnson alleged that this alignment with Democratic leadership made the trip a political maneuver, which he argued was inappropriate for a foreign leader.

Furthermore, Johnson called for Zelensky to dismiss Oksana Markarova, Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S., who he said played a role in organizing the visit. He argued that the ambassador’s actions damaged her ability to be an effective and impartial diplomat. “This shortsighted and intentionally political move has caused Republicans to lose trust in her,” Johnson said, underscoring his concerns that the visit undermined bipartisan support for Ukraine’s defense efforts.

Former President Donald Trump also weighed in during a rally in Pennsylvania on Sunday, coinciding with Zelensky’s visit. Trump suggested that Zelensky’s actions were aimed at supporting the Democrats in the 2024 election, stating, “He wants them to win this election so badly.” Trump reiterated his stance that he could bring an end to the war in Ukraine through negotiations, criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict. “But I would do it differently,” Trump added. “I will work out peace.”

The political controversy surrounding Zelensky’s visit escalated further when House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) announced an investigation into the use of taxpayer funds for Zelensky’s trip. Comer suggested that the Biden administration may have leveraged the Ukrainian president’s visit for political gain, particularly to bolster Vice President Harris’s potential 2024 presidential campaign. Comer framed this as a possible abuse of power, though it remains to be seen whether any substantive evidence will emerge from the investigation.

Other Republican lawmakers have also expressed their displeasure with Zelensky’s visit. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) suggested that Zelensky should avoid getting involved in American politics. According to a report from Politico, they cautioned that such visits could be perceived as interference, given the highly polarized political climate in the U.S.

Despite the Republican pushback, Zelensky made it clear in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) that his visit to the Scranton plant was focused on expressing gratitude to the workers and strengthening cooperation between Pennsylvania and Ukraine. He emphasized that the plant produces essential artillery shells that are vital to Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s ongoing invasion. Zelensky’s primary goal in visiting the U.S., he added, was to secure continued international support for Ukraine as the war enters its third year.

Zelensky’s trip to the U.S. coincides with high-level meetings in Washington, D.C., where he is set to meet with President Biden, Vice President Harris, and other key lawmakers on Thursday. During his speech at the United Nations earlier in the week, Zelensky urged the international community to maintain pressure on Russia and not to seek temporary ceasefires or “lulls” in the conflict, but instead push for a “real, just peace.”

One of Zelensky’s defenders is Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), who took to X to condemn the criticism of the visit. Casey noted that Zelensky was in Pennsylvania to thank workers who have played a critical role in defending democracy. “Attempts to smear his visit to our Commonwealth are an insult and a disgrace,” Casey said, dismissing the political attacks as baseless.

However, Zelensky has faced additional criticism from Republicans following comments he made earlier in the week about Donald Trump and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, who is Trump’s running mate in the 2024 election. In an interview with The New Yorker, Zelensky said that Trump “doesn’t really know how to stop the war even if he might think he knows,” and described Vance as “too radical.” These remarks angered several Republican lawmakers, with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) suggesting that Zelensky had overstepped by criticizing U.S. political figures. Graham told Punchbowl News, “I don’t mind him going to a munitions plant thanking people for helping Ukraine. But I think his comments about J.D. Vance and President Trump were out of bounds.”

Other Republicans, however, took a more measured approach. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said he didn’t see an issue with Zelensky’s visit and believed that Republicans would likely do the same under similar circumstances. As Zelensky continues his U.S. visit, the political fallout from his tour of Pennsylvania underscores the challenges of navigating U.S. domestic politics in the midst of a global conflict.