Quick Hit:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Sunday to tour a munitions plant manufacturing shells for Ukraine's war effort. The trip, which used a taxpayer-funded U.S. military plane, drew sharp criticism from Republicans, with House Republican Chairwoman Elise Stefanik accusing Zelensky of using the visit to campaign for Democrats in a key swing state, calling it an “abuse of taxpayer funds.”

Key Details:

• Zelensky’s visit to the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant was part of his U.S. trip to thank workers producing 155mm artillery shells used by Ukrainian forces.

• Pennsylvania Democrats like Gov. Josh Shapiro and vulnerable Sen. Bob Casey accompanied him during the tour, sparking claims from Republicans that the visit was politically timed to boost Democrats ahead of the November election.

• “It’s a clear misuse of taxpayer funds,” Stefanik said, accusing Zelensky of “propping up Democrats” in President Biden’s home state, where Casey is in a tight reelection race against Republican Dave McCormick. Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt echoed these concerns, stating Zelensky was “openly campaigning for Democrats” by appearing with key Democratic officials in a highly contested state.

Diving Deeper:

Zelensky’s arrival in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Sunday sparked a wave of political backlash from Republicans, who criticized the Ukrainian president’s visit as more than just a diplomatic gesture. Scranton is home to the Army Ammunition Plant, which produces 155mm shells for Ukraine’s military, a key part of its defense against Russian forces. Zelensky’s trip was framed as an opportunity to thank the American workers contributing to Ukraine’s war effort, but many Republicans perceived it as having a political agenda.

House Republican Chairwoman Elise Stefanik was particularly vocal, calling the visit an “abuse of taxpayer funds” given its timing and location. “It’s clear what Zelensky is doing,” Stefanik said, according to The Washington Examiner, “he’s trying to prop up Democrats in Pennsylvania right before an election.” Pennsylvania, a key swing state in U.S. elections, is currently home to a high-stakes Senate race, with incumbent Democratic Sen. Bob Casey facing a strong challenge from Republican Dave McCormick.

Casey, along with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, attended the factory tour with Zelensky, a move that raised further suspicions among Republicans. Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt expressed his frustration, stating that Zelensky was “openly campaigning for Democrats” by aligning himself with Democratic leaders during the visit. The trip came as debates over additional Ukraine funding continue to heat up in Congress, and the optics of Zelensky’s visit were not lost on critics.

North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer also pointed to the symbolic importance of Scranton, given its connection to President Joe Biden’s political career, further fueling the narrative that Zelensky’s visit carried more political weight than diplomatic purpose. “There’s no doubt that this visit, in this location, sends a particular message,” Cramer said.

Zelensky’s U.S. trip will continue with an address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, followed by a high-profile meeting with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, D.C., on Thursday​