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Pelosi, top Dems’ surprise trip to Kyiv to meet with Zelenskyy raises eyebrows after photo op

May 1, 2022 | | Print Article

Ukrainian President Volodymyr  Zelenskyy welcomed an unannounced visit from U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi Sunday in the nation’s war-torn capital of Kyiv.

Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) joined the Congressional Delegation, which was greeted outside by Zelenskyy, several armed guards and the President’s press service. Zelenskyy, dressed in his signature khaki sweatshirt, shook each of the representative’s hands, telling them all, “You are welcome.”

In a video statement, Pelosi reaffirmed the United State’s commitment to the Ukrainian fight against Russia’s invading forces.

“Mr. President,” Pelosi read from what appeared to be a teleprompter, “our Congressional Delegation is honored to meet with you to thank you for your leadership and courage, to commend the Ukrainian people for their outstanding defense of democracy, and we are here to say to you, that we are with you until this fight is over. Thank you for your leadership.”

 

President Zelenskyy tweeted his own clip of the recorded meeting, in which Pelosi said, “We believe that we are visiting you to say thank you for your fight for freedom. We are on a frontier of freedom and your fight is a fight for everyone.”

“Our commitment is to be there for you until the fight is done,” Pelosi added.

Along with the clip, Zelenskyy said, “The United States is a leader in Ukraine’s strong support in the fight against Russian aggression. Thank you for helping to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state!”

“Honored to travel to Kyiv to meet with @ZelenskyyUa and senior Ukrainian leaders,” tweeted Rep. Crow. “We discussed military operations, sanctions, and the humanitarian crisis.”

“We delivered a simple message: America will help you win.”

The trip follows what a been a steady flow of national leaders and international dignitaries to Ukraine in recent weeks.

As BizPac Review reported, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson strolled through the streets of Kyiv with Zelenskyy earlier this month, and on Thursday Russian missiles struck Kyiv while UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was visiting.

“”While the UN Secretary General @antonioguterres is visiting Kyiv, a permanent member of the UN Security Council – russia – is launching missile strikes on the city,” tweeted Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov following the strikes. “This is an attack on the security of the Secretary General and on world security!”

Given the very recent nature of the latest “attack on world security,” many are wondering why Pelosi would choose now for a photo op in Kyiv.

“At the same time we’re being told that Russia shows no regard for collateral damage from its airstrikes, Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff are waltzing around Kiev,” tweeted foreign-policy analyst Clint Ehrlich. “It’s almost like they… aren’t afraid of being blown up. Weird!”

Another user noted Speaker Pelosi’s recently delayed trip to Taiwan — a trip China wants her to cancel.

“Does it mean Kiev is much safer for speakers of the US House of Representatives than Taiwan?” the user asked. “What kind of dangerous lunatic is then Putin?”

“Is it just me or does anyone else feel a bit uneasy and confused about all these foreign politicians such as Boris Johnson, Ursula von der Leyen and Nancy Pelosi flying into Kiev completely unarmored to meet with Russia’s most wanted man and posing for the press outside?” asked a third.

And another user wishes Pelosi would stay home and focus on her own district.

“Nancy Pelosi just met with Zelensky in Kiev,” the user tweeted. “She’s made more of an effort to meet with a fascist in a warzone than help the unhoused people living in tents on the streets of her district.”

https://twitter.com/ClintEhrlich/status/1520669774778314752?s=20&t=6X1J0a_9CEBvORLU6yXyEg

 

Melissa Fine
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