The Speaker of the US House, Mike Johnson, has called for Ukraine to dismiss its ambassador to Washington amidst escalating tensions between the Republican Party and President Volodymyr Zelensky. Johnson’s demand follows Zelensky’s recent visit to an arms factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state that is also the hometown of President Joe Biden.
In an open letter, Johnson accused Zelensky’s visit of being “designed to help Democrats” and claimed it amounted to “election interference.” This controversy is likely to overshadow Zelensky’s upcoming meeting with President Biden, during which he plans to present a comprehensive “plan for victory” in Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia.
Since arriving in the US, Zelensky has intensified efforts to secure additional support from the US and its allies to counter Russian aggression. On Thursday, President Biden announced a substantial military aid package worth $7.9 billion for Ukraine, part of a broader $61 billion package approved by Congress earlier this year. This package includes advanced military equipment such as additional Patriot air defense missiles and long-range munitions, which will be expedited through presidential drawdown authority for faster delivery.
Despite previous obstacles, congressional Republicans ultimately passed the $61 billion military aid earlier this year after delays that left Ukraine’s arms supplies stagnant for months. The US has emerged as the largest foreign donor to Ukraine, contributing $56 billion for its defense so far.
Ahead of his meeting at the White House, Zelensky outlined three key aspects of his victory strategy: increased weapons donations, diplomatic negotiations to compel Russia to seek peace, and holding Moscow accountable for its 2022 invasion.
Zelensky had aimed to present his strategy to both presidential candidates, including Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. However, a spokesperson for Trump confirmed that he would not meet with Zelensky during the latter’s current visit to the US. The relationship between Trump and Zelensky has been marred by tensions, particularly following Trump’s impeachment in 2019 over allegations of pressuring Ukraine for political leverage.
During a recent campaign event, Trump dismissed Zelensky, referring to him as the “greatest salesman on Earth,” while accusing him of not willing to negotiate with Moscow. Trump has also publicly praised Russia’s military prowess, recalling their historical victories against formidable foes.
The ongoing friction between Zelensky and the Republican Party has heightened following his visit to the arms factory, where he was accompanied by key Democratic figures, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Johnson condemned the event as a “partisan campaign event” meant to bolster Harris’s campaign.
In response to this political dynamic, the Republican-led House Oversight Committee has initiated an investigation to determine if Zelensky’s visit served to benefit Harris’s campaign.
