President Volodymyr Zelensky recently visited a US arms factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania, alongside top Democrats. Scranton happens to be President Joe Biden’s hometown. This visit has stirred up a major dispute, especially with the Republican Party.
The Speaker of the US House, Mike Johnson, demanded that Ukraine fire its ambassador to Washington due to the growing tension between Republicans and Zelensky.
According to BBC, Johnson accused Zelensky of helping the Democrats, calling the visit an act of “election interference.”
Zelensky’s visit came right before his important meeting with President Joe Biden, where he’s expected to present a “victory plan” for Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia. Since arriving in the US, Zelensky has been urging America and its allies for more military and financial support. Although the details of his “victory plan” are not public yet, the BBC explained that the strategy would probably include requests for more help and future security promises.
In response, President Biden announced $7.9 billion in military aid for Ukraine, part of a larger $61 billion package approved earlier this year. This new aid includes Patriot air defense missiles and long-range ammunition, which will be sent quickly through existing Pentagon supplies. According to BBC, Republicans had blocked this aid for months but eventually allowed it to pass in April.
The US has been the largest supporter of Ukraine during the war, contributing a total of $56 billion for defense.
Zelensky thanked President Biden and the US Congress for their help, promising to use the resources wisely to secure victory, peace, and safety for Ukraine and beyond.
While Zelensky was in the US, Russian missile and drone attacks continued in Ukraine, including hits on Sumy, Odesa, and Kyiv.
In Odesa, a woman was killed, and there were many injuries, BBC reported. One resident of Kyiv, Maryna, shared how her home was hit by drone debris, narrowly missing her child.
BBC noted that Zelensky had planned to discuss his priorities with both presidential candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
However, Trump’s team confirmed he would not meet with Zelensky during the visit. Trump has been critical of Zelensky and even mocked him, calling him “the greatest salesman on Earth.”
Trump has also praised Russia’s military strength and accused Zelensky of not wanting to strike a peace deal with Moscow.
The ongoing tensions between Zelensky and Republicans have intensified after his visit to the Scranton arms factory.
BBC explained that Republicans, including Speaker Johnson, accused Zelensky of attending a “partisan campaign event” to help Kamala Harris in the upcoming US election.
The Republican-led House Oversight Committee is now investigating whether Zelensky’s trip was intended to benefit Harris’ campaign.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80rkv0k4j8o