Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania earlier this week has drawn criticism for what some are calling an overt political move favoring Democrats. According to ABC News, Zelensky toured the facility under tight security to thank workers for producing 155mm artillery shells, which have been crucial in Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. Zelensky expressed his gratitude, stating that “the democratic world can prevail” thanks to such efforts. The visit, however, has sparked controversy for its timing and political undertones.
Zelensky’s visit, which also included Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Democratic Senator Bob Casey, appeared more like a campaign stop in a key battleground state. As Real Clear Politics reported, Zelensky even autographed a 155mm shell before handing the pen to Shapiro and Casey for their own signatures, an image that was widely circulated and viewed as favorable to the Democratic Party. The Ukrainian leader’s presence alongside prominent Democratic figures just days before his meetings with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris has raised eyebrows, particularly among Republicans.
Further fueling the controversy, Zelensky criticized former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, in a recent interview with the New Yorker, reported by Real Clear Politics. He called Vance “dangerous” and “too radical,” and questioned Trump’s ability to end the war in Ukraine. This has prompted accusations that Zelensky is meddling in U.S. politics, despite his assertion that doing so “would be wrong.”
Critics like National Review‘s Michael Brendan Dougherty argued that Zelensky’s alignment with Democrats could damage future American support for Ukraine, especially if Republicans take control of the Senate or the White House in 2024. Dougherty noted that by appearing with Democratic leaders and attacking the Republican ticket, Zelensky is “deliberately contributing to the political polarization” of an issue that should remain bipartisan. He warned that such actions could undermine Ukraine’s cause among Republicans, risking future aid.
The National Review piece also highlighted the growing concern among Republicans about the continued U.S. financial and military support for Ukraine. Zelensky’s visit to the ammunition plant, a facility essential to producing munitions for Ukraine, has added fuel to the debate over the country’s involvement in the war.
Meanwhile, the NRA weighed in on the broader context, with Randy Kozuch, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, releasing a statement critical of the Biden administration’s focus on gun control and military aid abroad while crime increases domestically. Kozuch suggested that this focus is distracting from addressing issues closer to home, a sentiment echoed by some Americans who oppose continued spending on Ukraine’s war effort.
With the war in Ukraine now in its third year, Zelensky’s involvement in American political debates may have long-lasting repercussions for U.S. policy toward the conflict. For now, his recent actions have cemented his position as a polarizing figure in U.S. politics, particularly as the 2024 election approaches. It seems he’s hedging his bets on the Democrats winning across the board to maintain support from the U.S. If they don’t, and the GOP maintains control of the House, and at the very least gains control of the Senate and/or the White House, which the Senate at least seems likely, Zelensky may have just put his country in a worse position than it already was.
