Republican lawmakers have accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of interfering in US politics, claiming that his recent visit to Pennsylvania amounted to campaigning for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. This controversy arose after Zelensky’s tour of a Scranton arms facility, where he signed artillery shells intended for Ukrainian forces, sparking outrage among GOP officials.
Zelensky’s visit to Pennsylvania occurred just weeks ahead of the highly anticipated US presidential election. Pennsylvania, a critical swing state that could determine the election outcome, has seen intensified political activity as both parties aim to sway its voters. The state’s large Polish-American voter base has made it a key target for candidates looking to rally support, and Zelensky’s presence there has raised eyebrows, particularly among Republicans.
On the weekend of September 23, Zelensky toured the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant, a facility responsible for manufacturing artillery shells for the Ukrainian military, which continues to battle Russian forces. Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro accompanied the Ukrainian leader during the visit, and the two were photographed signing 155mm artillery shells, a symbolic act that Republicans have criticized as political theater.
Republicans took issue not only with the optics of the visit but also with its timing and the resources used to facilitate it. Zelensky arrived in Pennsylvania aboard a US Air Force C-17 aircraft and was provided with Secret Service protection-costs that Republicans argue were covered by US taxpayer dollars. This led several GOP lawmakers to accuse Zelensky of using the visit for political purposes rather than for legitimate diplomatic reasons.
“Zelensky is openly campaigning for Democrats in battleground Pennsylvania today, some 50 days out from our presidential election. Unreal,” Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt wrote on X (formerly Twitter), expressing his frustration with what he saw as the Ukrainian leader’s meddling in US elections.
The visit ignited a firestorm of criticism from Republican officials, particularly those who see Zelensky’s involvement in Pennsylvania as a deliberate attempt to bolster Harris’s campaign. Pennsylvania Representative John Joyce, in a local radio interview on September 24, called the visit a “political stunt,” expressing concern over its strategic timing.
Joyce was not alone in his condemnation. A group of nine Republican House representatives, led by Texas Congressman Lance Gooden, called for an investigation into the purpose of Zelensky’s visit. In a letter to Pentagon Inspector General Robert Storch, the lawmakers questioned whether the resources used to transport and protect Zelensky were justified under the pretext of US national security or diplomacy, or if they served a political agenda. They also raised concerns about Zelensky’s appearance in an interview with The New Yorker, in which he criticized former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance, both Republican nominees in the upoming presidential election.
“There is concern that these resources were used for purposes unrelated to US national security or bilateral diplomacy but rather to support a politically significant visit ahead of a major US election,” the letter stated.
Gooden, speaking on Fox News, questioned Zelensky’s approach to US politics and his relationship with the American people, particularly Republicans. “Why is he [Zelensky] not on his knees thanking Americans, Republicans and Democrats, for the sacrifices they’ve made for his nation? And how dare he come into our nation and opine on any election, much less the presidential race?” Gooden said during an appearance on The Ingraham Angle.
Republican criticism of Zelensky’s visit is partly rooted in concerns over Pennsylvania’s significant Polish-American population, a demographic both parties are vying for. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, has been promoting the Biden administration’s strong support for Ukraine as a means of reassuring the Polish-American community, which holds strong ties to Ukraine and fears Russian aggression in Eastern Europe.
In her campaign, Harris has emphasized the importance of continued US assistance to Ukraine as not only a matter of international security but also as a safeguard for Poland. By aligning herself with pro-Ukraine sentiment, Harris aims to capture the loyalty of this influential voter base in Pennsylvania, where even a small shift in voter turnout could decide the election. Zelensky’s appearance in the state, therefore, has fueled accusations that his visit was a coordinated effort to help Harris rally Polish-American voters.
Zelensky, however, has downplayed these accusations. His official reason for visiting the US was to attend the UN General Assembly in New York and meet with President Joe Biden. During the meeting, Zelensky presented Biden with a ‘victory plan’ aimed at ensuring Ukraine’s success against Russian forces. Despite these official objectives, the optics of the Pennsylvania visit have cast doubt over his true intentions.
Zelensky’s involvement in US politics, whether intentional or not, has become a flashpoint in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. With Republicans increasingly critical of the Biden administration’s continued financial and military support for Ukraine, Zelensky’s visit to a key battleground state has stoked suspicions that he is aligning with Democratic interests.
The backlash has also drawn attention to the broader debate over US foreign aid to Ukraine. While Democrats argue that American assistance is vital to countering Russian aggression and upholding democratic values, Republicans are questioning the long-term strategic benefits of the support and whether Zelensky should have the latitude to engage in activities that could influence US elections.
As the November election approaches, the controversy surrounding Zelensky’s visit may further polarize voters on the issue of Ukraine, with Republicans viewing the Ukrainian leader as a political actor rather than a neutral partner in international affairs. The potential fallout could impact not only Zelensky’s relationship with the US but also the future of American foreign policy towards Ukraine under a new administration.
Please follow Blitz on Google News Channel
The post Republicans claim Zelensky campaigned for Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania appeared first on BLiTZ.
