Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s weekend visit to a Pennsylvania factory making key ammunition in its fight against Russia is promoting some Republican lawmakers to accuse the foreign leader of campaigning for Democrats in a battleground state.
Zelenksy visited the factory to thank American munitions workers as part of a broader U.S. trip that will include Washington, D.C., later in the week, but some in the GOP told the Washington Examiner they saw a more sinister motive to stump for Democrats in the crucial swing state just weeks before the elections.
“When it comes to Pennsylvania, President Trump is going to win the state,” House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) said. “I think it’s an abuse of taxpayer funds and trying to support Democrat candidates and using military aircraft to do so.”
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-SD) questioned why Zelensky visited the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in particular, as it is located in President Joe Biden’s hometown. The factory is one of the few in the country supplying Ukraine with massive 155 mm artillery shells for long guns that can strike targets up to 15-20 miles.
“And Jay Powell just happened to lower interest rates 50 basis points, it just happened to be before the election,” Cramer said. “Perception is part of the formula when it comes to governing and politics and geopolitics.”
Among those who accompanied Zelensky to the plant were Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) and Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA). In addition to a tight race for president in the Keystone State, Casey is locked in a competitive reelection fight against GOP rival Dave McCormick.
Congress approved another $60 billion in assistance for Ukraine earlier this year as part of a foreign aid package. Pennsylvania, including the factory visited by Zelensky, has been a top recipient of prior Ukraine military funding to manufacture weapons and supplies.
“It is in places like this where you can truly feel that the democratic world can prevail,” Zelensky tweeted. “Thanks to people like these — in Ukraine, in America, and in all partner countries — who work tirelessly to ensure that life is protected.”
Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), former chairman of the hard-line House Freedom Caucus whose district is roughly two hours from Scranton, suggested the wartime president’s time would be better spent “in Ukraine making sure he can be victorious against the Russians.”
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) said in a post of his own that Zelensky was “openly campaigning for Democrats in battleground Pennsylvania.”
But some conservatives rejected the notion that salacious political intentions were afoot.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), who’s vying to be the next Senate GOP leader and opposed Ukraine aid earlier this year, saw no connection to the November elections.
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“The way I look at is, he’s just thanking people for — he needs a lot of ammunition,” Scott said.
Zelensky is set to speak at the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Tuesday before traveling to Washington, D.C., to meet with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday.