Laura Loomer Meets Zelenskyy in Kyiv
Laura Loomer, a prominent ally of U.S. President Donald Trump known for her outspoken commentary on the Russia-Ukraine war, met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday, marking a dramatic shift from her previous public stance on the conflict.
The meeting was confirmed by Zelenskyy’s spokesperson, Dmytro Lytvyn, who said the Ukrainian government did not organize Loomer’s visit and only became aware of her presence through her social media posts. Despite that, Zelenskyy’s office welcomed her visit, thanking her for traveling to Ukraine despite ongoing air raid alerts.
The meeting also served as an interview for Loomer’s Rumble program, Loomer Unleashed, during which Zelenskyy discussed his relationship with Trump and the state of the war.
A Sharp Change in Her Position on Ukraine
Loomer’s visit drew attention because it contrasted sharply with years of criticism she directed toward Ukraine and its leadership.
She had previously referred to Ukraine as ‘a country full of Nazi apologists’ and called Zelenskyy a ‘Jihadi apologist,’ echoing rhetoric that Russia has frequently used to justify its invasion.
However, after arriving in Kyiv, Loomer appeared to soften her position. Posting about experiencing an air raid firsthand, she acknowledged that she had often said she did not care about the war, adding that, in hindsight, those remarks were unkind after witnessing conditions in Ukraine herself.
Visit to Damaged Cathedral
During her trip, Loomer also visited the Dormition Cathedral at Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, one of Ukraine’s most significant religious landmarks. Ukrainian officials say the cathedral was damaged during a Russian strike last month, although Russia has denied responsibility for the attack.
Videos shared by Loomer showed her touring the site while criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s repeated claims that Russia is defending Christianity through its invasion of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy Discusses Trump Relationship
During the interview, Loomer asked Zelenskyy about his relationship with Trump following their widely publicized Oval Office confrontation earlier this year.
Zelenskyy said relations between the two leaders improved after they briefly met at the Vatican during Pope Francis’ funeral, describing that conversation as an important step toward rebuilding communication.
Senior Ukrainian officials, including Sergiy Kyslytsya and Tetyana Berezhna, also participated in Loomer’s visit.
Loomer’s trip comes as the Trump administration continues to pursue diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said this week that negotiations remain ongoing but cautioned that no quick resolution appears likely.
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