Tensions between former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reached a boiling point this week, frustrating Republican senators ahead of a scheduled meeting with Zelensky at the Capitol on Thursday.
The public jabs between the two sides, which began when Zelensky arrived in the United States a few days ago for the U.N. General Assembly, are threatening to complicate an already frosty relationship further. And it’s putting GOP lawmakers who support Ukraine’s war effort in a bind as they try to secure more funding to help Kyiv during the lame-duck session.
The latest spat began after Zelensky visited a munitions factory in Scranton, Pa., over the weekend with Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.). Trump’s allies dubbed it “election interference” in a battleground state.
Zelensky then gave an interview to The New Yorker in which he called Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), “too radical” and suggested he “read up” on World War II.
Zelensky also said Trump “doesn’t really know how to stop the war even if he might think he knows how,” pushing back on Trump’s vow to end the conflict with Russia if he’s elected president.
These remarks went over poorly with a number of Republicans.
“The idea that a foreign leader is here flying around on a C-17, in Pennsylvania, criticizing President Trump, criticizing JD Vance — it’s like a campaign stop that, again, just feels way over the top,” Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), a top Trump surrogate, told us.
Zelensky has been careful over the years to not wade too far into U.S. politics or be outwardly critical of Trump. But these comments represent a marked shift, one that Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a staunch Zelensky ally, warned would be “the biggest mistake he’d ever make.”
“I don’t mind him going to a munitions plant thanking people for helping Ukraine. But I think his comments about JD Vance and President Trump were out of bounds,” Graham told us. “With conservatives, it’s going to hurt Ukraine.”
At a rally on Monday night, Trump lashed out at Zelensky, saying the Ukrainian president wants Democrats to win “so badly” in November. He repeated similar criticisms Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said he had no problem with Zelensky’s visit or his comments about Vance.
When asked if Zelensky’s comments were appropriate, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who has accompanied Graham on several trips to Ukraine, said the criticisms of Zelensky are “entirely misplaced.”
“President Zelensky is fighting for Ukraine’s life,” Blumenthal said. “And he needs to call out false and misguided opposition in this country for the survival of his people. And he’s right about Sen. Vance’s positions.”
One more thing: We’re not sure how many lawmakers will attend these Zelensky meetings on the Hill with Congress set to leave town today. The situation was fluid Tuesday night, especially on the House side. We’ll be tracking this closely.
