House Speaker Accuses Zelensky of Election Interference

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent visit to a Pennsylvania ammunition plant, alleging it constitutes election interference benefiting the Democratic Party. Johnson has called for the dismissal of Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, claiming she organized the visit to promote Democratic candidates while excluding Republicans. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended the visit as a standard wartime request, describing the Republican-led investigation as a politically motivated stunt. Johnson's letter emphasized that the visit was a partisan campaign event, arguing it undermines trust in Markarova and risks Ukraine's diplomatic relations with the U.S. The controversy arises amid ongoing military aid discussions, as President Biden announced a significant military package for Ukraine. Critics assert that Zelensky's actions jeopardize the non-partisan stance he previously advocated regarding U.S. domestic politics.