Republican lawmakers are not happy with the brazen and entitled attitude displayed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky when the leader of the war-torn country visited the U.S. this past weekend.
Zelensky joined Democrat Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to use markers to sign artillery that will be sent to Ukraine for use in its war to keep Russia out. He is in town for the United Nations General Assembly taking place this week.
Zelensky got here courtesy of American taxpayer dollars thanks to the Biden administration, which flew him to the states on an Air Force C-17.
It was Zelensky’s remarks about Ohio Senator JD Vance, also Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate, that really sparked GOP criticism. In an interview with The New Yorker that came out over the weekend, Zelensky felt free to call Vance “too radical” to be the U.S. Vice President because Vance is not keen to continue sending U.S. taxpayer money to Ukraine to fight its war. Vance wants an end to U.S. funding for Ukraine, and has suggested the country give up Kyiv to Russia to broker a peace agreement.
Missouri Republican Senator Eric Schmitt wrote on social media that “Zelensky is openly campaigning for Democrats” less than two months from the presidential election. Schmitt called the situation “unreal.”
Sean Parnell, who once stood as a candidate for Senate, marveled that Zelensky went to Pennsylvania to put his signature on “bombs” with Gov. Josh Shapiro. He said Zelensky was “attacking” Vance in the important battleground state of Pennsylvania. “If that’s not foreign election interference, I don’t know what is,” said Parnell.
Donald Trump Jr. also took to X (Twitter) to call Zelensky’s comments “disgraceful.” He characterized him as a foreign leader who has benefited from billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars, yet “has the nerve” to attack the Republican presidential ticket.
Zelensky has been lobbying for more U.S. aid since the conflict broke out when Russia invaded Ukraine in February, 2022.
