Rosalind Evans
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent visit to a U.S. Army ammunition plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania, has sparked criticism from some U.S. Republican leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson. While Johnson characterized the visit as a “partisan campaign event designed to help Democrats,” the White House and Pentagon have firmly rejected these claims, emphasizing the non-political nature of Zelenskyy’s visit. Here’s a closer look at both sides of the controversy.
Accusations of Partisanship
Speaker Mike Johnson voiced his concerns about Zelenskyy’s visit, claiming it had political motivations. In a letter to the Ukrainian president, Johnson wrote, “The tour was clearly a partisan campaign event designed to help Democrats.” Johnson’s assertion was rooted in the fact that all the elected officials attending the event were Democrats.
However, Pentagon and White House officials have countered this narrative, explaining that the visit was arranged to thank American workers for contributing to Ukraine’s defense. “The tour was at the request of Ukraine to express gratitude to U.S. workers for their support,” said Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary, in a briefing.
Understanding the Selection of Attendees
The selection of attending officials, all Democrats, has raised eyebrows. However, a defense official pointed out that the attendees were selected based on geographical jurisdiction, meaning the representatives of the district where the event took place were invited. In this case, the officials representing Scranton, Pennsylvania, were Democrats.
This practice isn’t new, as Zelenskyy has met with officials from both political parties during past visits. For example, in July 2024, Zelenskyy visited Utah to meet with Republican Governor Spencer Cox and Utah’s all-Republican congressional delegation. These meetings follow the same principle—meeting the elected officials of the regions he visits.
Bipartisan Support for Ukraine
Senator Roger Wicker, a Republican from Mississippi and ranking Senate Armed Services Committee member, weighed in on the matter. “If President Zelenskyy came to Mississippi, he would be accompanied by Republican officials because that’s who the people in their wisdom elected,” Wicker told The Associated Press. This underscores that Zelenskyy’s visits are not partisan but dependent on the elected officials in each region.
The White House’s Response
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre further emphasized that Zelenskyy’s visit followed a similar pattern to previous trips, stating, “This is something that Ukrainians asked for. They did this a couple of months ago in Utah with a Republican governor and Republican elected officials. We didn’t hear any investigation request when we went to a Republican state.”
Jean-Pierre’s response highlighted the consistency in how these visits are conducted, regardless of the political affiliation of local leaders. The purpose of Zelenskyy’s trips remains focused on strengthening U.S.-Ukrainian relations, not partisanship.
The controversy surrounding Zelenskyy’s Pennsylvania visit underscores the sensitivity of U.S. political dynamics, especially regarding international figures. While some Republicans have labeled the event politically motivated, the White House and Pentagon have vigorously defended the visit as a gesture of gratitude, free from partisan intent. As the conflict in Ukraine continues, maintaining bipartisan support in the U.S. remains crucial for sustaining global assistance to Ukraine.
