House Speaker Mike Johnson sent a letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today, demanding the immediate dismissal of Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova. Johnson accused Markarova of organizing a politically charged event in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state, during a tour of an ammunition plant. The visit was attended by a group of Democratic Party officials, raising concerns of election interference.
In his letter, Johnson referenced previous statements made by Zelensky, in which the Ukrainian president emphasized the importance of staying out of U.S. domestic politics. “Clearly, that objective was abandoned this week,” Johnson wrote, pointing out that the tour was hosted in a politically contested state and led by Democratic figures – notably without any Republican invitees.
Zelensky’s tour of the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant took place alongside Pennsylvania Democrats, including Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator Bob Casey and Representative Matt Cartwright. The timing and location of the visit sparked political debate, especially given Pennsylvania’s status as a crucial swing state. The state is home to a significant Ukrainian-American population, with over 122,000 immigrants and descendants of immigrants from Ukraine.
Johnson framed the visit as a partisan maneuver designed to benefit Democrats ahead of the upcoming election. “The event was clearly a campaign ploy, and it undermines Ambassador Markarova’s ability to serve as an impartial diplomat in the U.S.,” Johnson continued. He argued that the ambassador should be removed from her post to restore trust and neutrality in the diplomatic relationship between Ukraine and the U.S.
The letter didn’t stop there. Johnson also took aim at Zelensky himself, referencing a recent interview in The New Yorker where the Ukrainian leader criticized J.D. Vance‘s stance on the war in Ukraine. Zelensky’s comments, including his suggestion that Trump doesn’t fully understand the war and his critique of Vance’s call for Ukraine to cede territory to end the conflict, were seen by Johnson as further evidence of election interference.
“These incidents must not be repeated,” Johnson concluded in his letter, urging Zelensky to take swift action and restore diplomatic balance.
Shortly after the letter, reports surfaced that Vice President Kamala Harris would meet with Zelensky during his upcoming visit to Washington, where he is expected to present his strategy to defeat the Russian invasion. There is also speculation about a possible meeting between Zelensky and former President Donald Trump, who has expressed tentative interest in such a discussion.
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