Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has been accused of “election interference” after he emerged in the swing state of Pennsylvania to campaign for Democrats and smear the Republican ticket.
Zelensky, who is supposedly fighting a war with Russia in his home nation, made an appearance with Democrats at an ammunition factory.
The Ukrainian leader’s appearance at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant comes after he trashed President Donald Trump and his running mate Sen. JD Vance (R-OH).
He blasted Trump and Vance during an interview with the New Yorker.
“My feeling is that Trump doesn’t really know how to stop the war even if he might think he knows how,” he said while he was still in Ukraine.
“With this war, oftentimes, the deeper you look at it the less you understand.”
Zelensky said that Vance was “too radical” because the Republican vice presidential candidate believes that Ukraine must “make a sacrifice.”
He complained that Vance believed it would be better to avoid World War Three by letting Ukraine lose some of its territory to Russia and bring the conflict to an end.
Zelensky told the outlet that he believes Vance or any other leader of the U.S. who endorses the idea that wars should be ended by giving in to aggressors “should be held responsible for potentially starting a global war.”
“Because such a person would be implying that this kind of behavior is acceptable,” he said.
However, Zelensky said that he does not take Vance’s words seriously.
“I don’t take Vance’s words seriously, because, if this were a plan, then America is headed for global conflict.
“It will involve Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Taiwan, China, as well as many African countries.
“That approach would broadcast to the world the following implicit rule: I came, I conquered, now this is mine.
“It will apply everywhere: land claims and mineral rights and borders between nations.”
He said in that type of world the governing philosophy will be “might is right” and there will be a “global showdown.”
“Let Mr. Vance read up on the history of the Second World War, when a country was forced to give part of its territory to one particular person,” Zelensky continued.
“What did that man do?
“Was he appeased or did he deal a devastating blow to the continent of Europe—to many nations, broadly, and to the Jewish nation in particular?
“Let him do some reading,” Zelensky said of Vance, a Yale University graduate and best-selling author.
“The Jewish people are a strong power base in the United States, so let them conduct a public-education campaign and explain why millions perished thanks to the fact that someone offered to give up a sliver of territory.”
He added that his experience with Trump has been different because he says the 45th president has pledged his support for Ukraine.
Zelensky was flown to the state by the taxpayer-funded U.S. Air Force.
According to a video Zelensky posted on X, he was treated by Pennsylvania’s Democrat Governor Josh Shapiro on the tarmac.
During my visit to the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant, where components for artillery and mortar shells are produced, including 155 mm shells for Ukraine, I emphasized the dedication of the workers, which is truly inspiring—they are helping Ukraine stand strong in our fight for… pic.twitter.com/rs0vLZRlVU
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 23, 2024
The foreign leader also met with Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), and Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA).
“I visited a plant that manufactures 155 mm artillery shells,” Zelensky wrote on social media.
“Now, for our warriors who are defending not only our country, not only Ukraine, the plant will be ramping up production.
“I began my visit to the United States by expressing my gratitude to all the employees at the plant and by reaching agreements to expand cooperation between Pennsylvania and our Zaporizhzhia.”
“It is in places like this where you can truly feel that the democratic world can prevail,” he continued.
“Thanks to people like these—in Ukraine, in America, and in all partner countries—who work tirelessly to ensure that life is protected.”
Zelensky’s was accused by some online of interfering in the U.S. presidential election.
Some argue that his remarks about Vance and his subsequent event with Democrats in Pennsylvania constitute “election interference.”
Pennsylvania’s winner in November will likely become the next president.
Washington Examiner Chief Political Correspondent Byron York said Zelensky’s campaigning efforts for the Democrats are “Election interference.”
“Now visiting a key swing state.”
In a post on X, Palantir CEO co-founder Joe Lonsdale said:
“Team Kamala is so concerned about Pennsylvania, they’re using military assets to fly in Zelensky to campaign!”
“They’re implying their war creates jobs, and are forcing Z to attack Trump & Vance,” he added.
“Literally funding a foreign leader and using the military to bring him to campaign with them in a battleground state.
“PA voters aren’t dumb*, this will backfire hard on the leftist Borg.”
