Laura Loomer Meets Zelenskyy in Ukraine After Reversing War Position/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Trump ally Laura Loomer met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv after reversing years of opposition to U.S. support for Ukraine. Loomer said experiencing an air raid changed her perspective and acknowledged that her previous expressions of indifference were unkind. She also visited a landmark cathedral damaged in a recent attack and accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of hypocrisy.
Quick Look
- Laura Loomer met Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday.
- Ukrainian officials said the government did not organize her visit.
- Zelenskyy’s office learned Loomer was in Ukraine through social media.
- Loomer had previously minimized Russia’s invasion and opposed U.S. support for Ukraine.
- She said experiencing an air raid changed her perspective.
- Loomer previously repeated claims used by Russia to justify its invasion.
- Zelenskyy’s office praised her for visiting and seeing conditions firsthand.
- Loomer toured Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra’s Dormition Cathedral.
- The cathedral suffered extensive damage in an attack the previous month.
- Russia denied responsibility and blamed a Ukrainian air-defense missile without providing evidence.
- Loomer criticized Putin’s claim that Russia is defending Christianity.
- The White House did not immediately comment on the trip.
Deep Look
Loomer Meets Zelenskyy in Kyiv
KYIV — Conservative activist and President Donald Trump ally Laura Loomer met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday following a major reversal in her views about Russia’s invasion.
Loomer had spent years criticizing American assistance to Ukraine and minimizing the effects of the war. Her visit and new public comments could influence some of her nearly 2 million social media followers and other conservative supporters of Trump.
Dmytro Lytvyn, a spokesperson for Zelenskyy, confirmed the meeting.
Ukraine Says It Did Not Organize Visit
Lytvyn said no Ukrainian government institution arranged Loomer’s trip.
Zelenskyy’s office first learned she was in the country through her social media posts, he added.
“It is really important that @LauraLoomer is in Ukraine and sees things with her own eyes as they are,” the president’s office wrote Tuesday.
After her meeting with Zelenskyy, the office issued another message praising Loomer’s decision to visit.
“It takes courage to come to Ukraine and not be deterred by Russian propaganda or air raid sirens. Thank you, Laura,” the statement said.
Loomer did not respond to a request for comment.
Air Raid Prompts Public Change of Heart
Loomer said experiencing an air raid in Ukraine forced her to reconsider her previous indifference toward the conflict.
“Just experienced my first air raid in Ukraine. Sirens blaring. This is everyday for every Ukrainian,” Loomer wrote on X. “I often said I don’t care. Looking back, that wasn’t very nice of me to say.”
Her statement represented a sharp departure from years of public criticism directed at Ukraine and its leadership.
Loomer Previously Repeated Russian Narratives
Before the trip, Loomer had described Ukraine as “a country full of Nazi apologists” and said it was “led by a Jihadi apologist.”
The allegation about Nazi influence has been used by Russia to justify its invasion, but Ukraine and Western governments reject that characterization.
Loomer had also questioned why the United States should provide military and financial support for Ukraine’s defense.
Similar skepticism has been expressed by other prominent conservative media figures, including former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
Reversal Could Resonate in Washington
Loomer has cultivated significant influence among parts of Trump’s political movement.
Her reversal could have political implications in Washington, where Republican lawmakers and conservative activists remain divided over continued support for Ukraine.
The White House did not immediately respond to questions about her visit or meeting with Zelenskyy.
Loomer Visits Damaged Cathedral
In addition to meeting the Ukrainian president, Loomer visited the Dormition Cathedral at Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
The religious complex, also known as the Monastery of the Caves, is among Ukraine’s most culturally and spiritually significant landmarks.
An attack the previous month sparked a fire and caused major damage to the cathedral’s interior and exterior, according to UNESCO.
The complex is known for its golden domes and its central location in Kyiv.
Zelenskyy Condemned Attack on Religious Site
Zelenskyy described the damage as Moscow’s “biggest crime yet against Christian culture.”
Russia denied responsibility. It alleged, without providing evidence, that a Ukrainian Patriot air-defense missile supplied by the United States had veered off course and struck the complex.
Russian officials suggested the missile may have malfunctioned because of its age.
Loomer Accuses Putin of Hypocrisy
Loomer recorded a video from inside the cathedral and criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s portrayal of Russia as a defender of Christianity.
“I just don’t think that you should be allowed to say that you’re protecting Christianity if you’re trying to drone strike Jesus Christ,” Loomer said.
Her remarks marked another significant contrast with her previous commentary about the war.
Senior Ukrainian Officials Join Visit
Senior Ukrainian officials Sergiy Kyslytsya and Tetyana Berezhna were among those who met Loomer.
They also accompanied her during the visit to the damaged religious site.
Ukraine has frequently invited skeptical foreign politicians, journalists and activists to tour areas affected by Russian attacks in an effort to counter misinformation and build international support.
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