Republicans to Zelenskyy: Stay out of US politics
Trump's supporters in Congress and elsewhere are particularly attuned to any perceived insults directed at the former president.
TroibNews 
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not lost the support of Republicans, but he is definitely facing scrutiny. Some Republican advocates for Ukraine on Capitol Hill expressed that the Ukrainian President made a miscalculation by visiting a weapons plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania, over the weekend and by labeling JD Vance “too radical” in a recent interview.
Zelenskyy's visit to the plant drew criticism from Speaker Mike Johnson, who characterized it as a partisan campaign event aligned with Democrats. This, combined with his comment regarding Vance, complicates his efforts to garner support in the U.S. amid the ongoing war with Russia.
As the conflict with Russia continues into its second year with no resolution in sight, maintaining Republican support is vital for Zelenskyy. However, the actions taken during his Pennsylvania trip and his comments could represent a stumbling block for the Ukrainian leader, especially with former President Donald Trump publicly rebuking him for his unwillingness to concede to Russia.
With elections approaching in less than two months, Trump’s associates are particularly sensitive to any perceived slights against him, especially given Zelenskyy's appearance in a crucial battleground state alongside Democrats.
“I just think it's a mistake for any foreign leader to get involved in our domestic politics, and Ukraine needs all the friends it can get — so I think it was an unforced error,” Sen. John Cornyn remarked in a brief interview. “I think he needs not to make that mistake again. We have geopolitical reasons to continue to support Ukraine, so I don't think that’s going to change over one incident.”
Despite frustrations from some Republicans, the majority remain committed to supporting Ukraine, regardless of Zelenskyy’s recent moves. When asked if these incidents might change the Republican stance on Ukraine, Cornyn shook his head: “Not on my part, and I think people who support Ukraine support Ukraine, not because of the personalities involved, but because of what it means to further Russian expansion in Europe.”
House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole, who is also a supporter of Ukraine aid, stated that Zelenskyy's visit "was not helpful," but noted it wasn't a major topic of discussion in the lawmakers' meeting with him on Thursday. "It's never smart in any situation where you're dealing with another country to get involved in this internal politics," Cole added. "My advice to anybody would be to stay out of American politics. Don't become an issue, particularly in a partisan election this close and in the final weeks leading up to it where, even if you're absolutely innocent, anything you do can be taken out of context."
Zelenskyy’s appearance at the weapons facility, attended by Sen. Bob Casey and Gov. Josh Shapiro, has resulted in House Republican investigations led by some of Trump’s allies, including Rep. Andy Biggs, and demands from Johnson for Zelenskyy to dismiss his ambassador to the U.S. However, the GOP lawmakers who support Ukraine’s stance against Russia remained resolute following their Thursday meetings with the leader.
During a press conference in New York on Thursday, Trump mentioned his intention to meet with Zelenskyy at Trump Tower the following morning, while simultaneously taking a jab at the Ukrainian president for his assertion that Trump is unaware of how to win the war. “I disagree with him. Well, he doesn’t know me, but, I will say this, I believe I will be able to make a deal between President Putin and President Zelenskyy quite quickly,” he stated.
On Wednesday, Trump criticized Zelenskyy for not making concessions to Russia, hinting that he would reconsider U.S. support for Kyiv if he regains the presidency. He emphasized during a rally in Pennsylvania that any resolution would be preferable to the current predicament Ukraine faces. “We continue to give billions of dollars to a man who refuses to make a deal, Zelenskyy,” Trump asserted.
Trump has frequently claimed that Russia would not have invaded Ukraine if he had been president and has asserted that he could negotiate an end to the war if he returns to the Oval Office, although he refrained from stating whether he wants Ukraine to succeed during his debate with Kamala Harris.
Ahead of his press conference in New York City, Trump shared a letter on social media that he allegedly received from Zelenskyy, requesting a meeting in New York.
However, some of Ukraine’s Republican allies were inclined to move forward and focus on the pressing need for assistance to Kyiv. “You hit him, he’s going to hit you back,” Graham noted in reference to Trump. “And we don’t need any more of that. What we need is a change in strategy. The war hinges on what Biden does this week, not what Trump may do.”
While several Republicans have historically expressed skepticism about U.S. defense aid to Ukraine, with Vance being particularly vocal in arguing that the war is of little importance to America, the White House had a different view. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre suggested that the GOP’s critique was hypocritical, as it appeared to justify a long-standing opposition to Ukraine that was already ingrained.
Jean-Pierre explained that Zelenskyy's visit to Pennsylvania was "something the Ukrainians asked for." She noted his previous visit to Utah, where he appeared alongside Republican Gov. Spencer Cox without incidents of investigation requests. "They did this a couple of months ago in Utah with a Republican governor," Jean-Pierre remarked. "We didn't hear any investigation requests when he went to a Republican state."
Lawmakers from both parties have indicated that Zelenskyy deserves some leeway in his efforts to secure support for his country. Senate Foreign Relations Chair Ben Cardin commented, “Let’s not get overly politically sensitive here. Let’s give this guy a little bit of a break; he’s speaking out for Ukraine. He’s made very clear he’s not engaged in the politics of this country, so don’t draw him into them. It’s too serious of an issue.”
Sen. John Hoeven emphasized that Zelenskyy should refrain from engaging in political matters but highlighted the importance of the substance of the meeting. Hoeven shared that Zelenskyy had previewed his plans for victory in the war, which included requesting additional military capabilities using previously allocated funds from Congress, rather than asking for more funding.
Zelenskyy indicated a need for more F-16 fighters and long-range missiles and pushed for the Biden administration to ease restrictions on strikes into Russian territory using U.S. weapons. "Obviously, he has to stay out of anything related to our politics or the election here," Hoeven said. "That's true in any situation like this, where you're dealing with a foreign leader. The real key, though, today is that he met with senators on both sides of the aisle. And what we talked about, at least what I really want to talk to him about, is how do you get to an end to the war that works for Ukraine and what does it take."
Eli Stokols and Lisa Kashinsky contributed to this report.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
Zelenskyy's visit to the plant drew criticism from Speaker Mike Johnson, who characterized it as a partisan campaign event aligned with Democrats. This, combined with his comment regarding Vance, complicates his efforts to garner support in the U.S. amid the ongoing war with Russia.
As the conflict with Russia continues into its second year with no resolution in sight, maintaining Republican support is vital for Zelenskyy. However, the actions taken during his Pennsylvania trip and his comments could represent a stumbling block for the Ukrainian leader, especially with former President Donald Trump publicly rebuking him for his unwillingness to concede to Russia.
With elections approaching in less than two months, Trump’s associates are particularly sensitive to any perceived slights against him, especially given Zelenskyy's appearance in a crucial battleground state alongside Democrats.
“I just think it's a mistake for any foreign leader to get involved in our domestic politics, and Ukraine needs all the friends it can get — so I think it was an unforced error,” Sen. John Cornyn remarked in a brief interview. “I think he needs not to make that mistake again. We have geopolitical reasons to continue to support Ukraine, so I don't think that’s going to change over one incident.”
Despite frustrations from some Republicans, the majority remain committed to supporting Ukraine, regardless of Zelenskyy’s recent moves. When asked if these incidents might change the Republican stance on Ukraine, Cornyn shook his head: “Not on my part, and I think people who support Ukraine support Ukraine, not because of the personalities involved, but because of what it means to further Russian expansion in Europe.”
House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole, who is also a supporter of Ukraine aid, stated that Zelenskyy's visit "was not helpful," but noted it wasn't a major topic of discussion in the lawmakers' meeting with him on Thursday. "It's never smart in any situation where you're dealing with another country to get involved in this internal politics," Cole added. "My advice to anybody would be to stay out of American politics. Don't become an issue, particularly in a partisan election this close and in the final weeks leading up to it where, even if you're absolutely innocent, anything you do can be taken out of context."
Zelenskyy’s appearance at the weapons facility, attended by Sen. Bob Casey and Gov. Josh Shapiro, has resulted in House Republican investigations led by some of Trump’s allies, including Rep. Andy Biggs, and demands from Johnson for Zelenskyy to dismiss his ambassador to the U.S. However, the GOP lawmakers who support Ukraine’s stance against Russia remained resolute following their Thursday meetings with the leader.
During a press conference in New York on Thursday, Trump mentioned his intention to meet with Zelenskyy at Trump Tower the following morning, while simultaneously taking a jab at the Ukrainian president for his assertion that Trump is unaware of how to win the war. “I disagree with him. Well, he doesn’t know me, but, I will say this, I believe I will be able to make a deal between President Putin and President Zelenskyy quite quickly,” he stated.
On Wednesday, Trump criticized Zelenskyy for not making concessions to Russia, hinting that he would reconsider U.S. support for Kyiv if he regains the presidency. He emphasized during a rally in Pennsylvania that any resolution would be preferable to the current predicament Ukraine faces. “We continue to give billions of dollars to a man who refuses to make a deal, Zelenskyy,” Trump asserted.
Trump has frequently claimed that Russia would not have invaded Ukraine if he had been president and has asserted that he could negotiate an end to the war if he returns to the Oval Office, although he refrained from stating whether he wants Ukraine to succeed during his debate with Kamala Harris.
Ahead of his press conference in New York City, Trump shared a letter on social media that he allegedly received from Zelenskyy, requesting a meeting in New York.
However, some of Ukraine’s Republican allies were inclined to move forward and focus on the pressing need for assistance to Kyiv. “You hit him, he’s going to hit you back,” Graham noted in reference to Trump. “And we don’t need any more of that. What we need is a change in strategy. The war hinges on what Biden does this week, not what Trump may do.”
While several Republicans have historically expressed skepticism about U.S. defense aid to Ukraine, with Vance being particularly vocal in arguing that the war is of little importance to America, the White House had a different view. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre suggested that the GOP’s critique was hypocritical, as it appeared to justify a long-standing opposition to Ukraine that was already ingrained.
Jean-Pierre explained that Zelenskyy's visit to Pennsylvania was "something the Ukrainians asked for." She noted his previous visit to Utah, where he appeared alongside Republican Gov. Spencer Cox without incidents of investigation requests. "They did this a couple of months ago in Utah with a Republican governor," Jean-Pierre remarked. "We didn't hear any investigation requests when he went to a Republican state."
Lawmakers from both parties have indicated that Zelenskyy deserves some leeway in his efforts to secure support for his country. Senate Foreign Relations Chair Ben Cardin commented, “Let’s not get overly politically sensitive here. Let’s give this guy a little bit of a break; he’s speaking out for Ukraine. He’s made very clear he’s not engaged in the politics of this country, so don’t draw him into them. It’s too serious of an issue.”
Sen. John Hoeven emphasized that Zelenskyy should refrain from engaging in political matters but highlighted the importance of the substance of the meeting. Hoeven shared that Zelenskyy had previewed his plans for victory in the war, which included requesting additional military capabilities using previously allocated funds from Congress, rather than asking for more funding.
Zelenskyy indicated a need for more F-16 fighters and long-range missiles and pushed for the Biden administration to ease restrictions on strikes into Russian territory using U.S. weapons. "Obviously, he has to stay out of anything related to our politics or the election here," Hoeven said. "That's true in any situation like this, where you're dealing with a foreign leader. The real key, though, today is that he met with senators on both sides of the aisle. And what we talked about, at least what I really want to talk to him about, is how do you get to an end to the war that works for Ukraine and what does it take."
Eli Stokols and Lisa Kashinsky contributed to this report.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
