House Speaker Blast Zelensky For Election Interference 

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this week following accusations that Zelensky interfered in U.S. elections to benefit the Democrat Party by touring an ammunition plant in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state.

Johnson directed his ire at Zelensky’s ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, whom he claimed organized the controversial visit.

“I demand that you immediately fire Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova,” Johnson wrote in a letter to Zelensky.

House Speaker Mike Johnson called for Zelensky to fire his U.S. ambassador who organized the trip, saying it was an “intentionally political move” in an electio…

Source: Forbes This is absolutely and totally unacceptable! “Why”? Ridiculous! Thoughts? https://t.co/WMujvE9GVf

— Phillip Sizemore (@philsize) September 25, 2024

“As you have said, Ukrainians have tried to avoid being ‘captured by American domestic politics’ and ‘influencing the choices of the American people’ ahead of the November election,” he noted. “Clearly that objective was abandoned this week when Ambassador Markarova organized an event in which you toured an American manufacturing site.”

He pointed out that the event took place in a politically contested battleground state, was led by a prominent surrogate for Kamala Harris, and did not include any Republicans.

Speaker Mike Johnson demands Pres. Zelenskyy immediately fire the Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. because no Republicans were invited to Zelenskyy's Pennsylvania ammunition plant tour. pic.twitter.com/MY5k1oVgoB

— John Neaves (@WorksAndDays_) September 25, 2024

Polls indicate that former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are in a tight race in Pennsylvania, which has a significant Ukrainian American population of over 122,000 as of 2022.

“The tour was clearly a partisan campaign event designed to help Democrats and is clearly election interference,” Johnson stated. “This shortsighted and intentionally political move has caused Republicans to lose trust in Ambassador Markarova’s ability to fairly and effectively serve as a diplomat in this country. She should be removed from her post immediately.”

Johnson emphasized that foreign nations should refrain from commenting on or interfering in U.S. domestic policies, stating that Zelensky tested Ukraine’s relationship with the U.S. when he criticized Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) during a media interview.

“These incidents cannot be repeated,” he concluded. “Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter, and I trust you will take immediate action.”

Zelensky visited the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant on Sunday after being flown into the state by the U.S. Air Force, with expenses covered by U.S. taxpayers. He toured the facility alongside Governor Josh Shapiro (D), Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), and Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA).

Zelensky’s visit followed his remarks attacking Vance in an interview with the New Yorker.

Zelensky's stunt trip to Pennsylvania wasn’t just about ammo—it's a campaign stop for Kamala. Democrats love foreign interference when it’s convenient! pic.twitter.com/Eub1aQ2F8R

— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) September 25, 2024

“My feeling is that Trump doesn’t really know how to stop the war even if he might think he knows how,” he said. “With this war, oftentimes, the deeper you look at it the less you understand.”

He described Vance as “too radical,” claiming that Vance believes Ukraine must “make a sacrifice” by ceding some territory to resolve its conflict with Russia. Zelensky added that he doesn’t take Vance’s comments seriously, noting that his experience with Trump has been different due to Trump’s pledge of support for Ukraine.