Laura Loomer, a prominent ally of President Donald Trump with nearly 2 million social media followers, met Thursday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, according to AP. The meeting came just days after Loomer publicly reversed her long-standing skepticism toward Ukraine and Russia's invasion, describing the experience of her first air raid as revelatory.
Loomer had spent years minimizing Russia's assault on Ukraine and amplifying Russian propaganda. She previously described Ukraine as 'a country full of Nazi apologists' — a claim Moscow has used to justify its invasion — and called Zelenskyy 'led by a Jihadi apologist.' The visit was framed as an interview for her Rumble show, 'Loomer Unleashed.'
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic lawmakers and Ukraine advocates have largely welcomed any shift in Republican support for Kyiv, though some expressed skepticism about Loomer's motives. Representative Jason Crow of Colorado, a decorated veteran who has championed Ukraine aid, told Politico: 'Any American who comes to see the reality on the ground is better than one who doesn't.' He added that he hoped the visit would reinforce what U.S. intelligence and military leaders have consistently found — that Ukraine can win with adequate support.
Progressive critics were less charitable. Former NSC official Peter Feith wrote on X: 'This is the same person who pushed Russian disinformation for years. One photo op doesn't erase a track record of amplifying Kremlin talking points.' The Center for Countering Digital Hate issued a report documenting how Loomer's account had shared over 200 posts containing Russian state media content since 2022.
Zelenskyy's office posted messages thanking Loomer for visiting, writing: 'It takes courage to come to Ukraine and not be deterred by Russian propaganda or air raid sirens.' The Ukrainian president has made similar appeals directly to conservative influencers, hoping to shift perceptions within Trump's base that has been skeptical of continued military assistance.
What the Right Is Saying
Trump administration officials have signaled they want to broker an end to what Secretary of State Marco Rubio called a 'senseless war' in Ukraine. Speaking Thursday at a gathering of foreign ministers in Manila, Rubio said the U.S. is prepared to help negotiate peace but acknowledged there is no quick path to agreement.
Loomer's defenders argue her willingness to visit and acknowledge Ukrainian suffering represents growth. Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, whose organization Turning Point USA has millions of young conservative followers, wrote: 'Laura went to see for herself. That's more than most in Congress have done. She updated her views based on what she witnessed.'
Other conservatives remained unconvinced the trip marked a substantive shift. Tucker Carlson, who has been one of the loudest critics of U.S. aid to Ukraine and interviewed Putin earlier this year, responded coolly: 'One air raid doesn't make someone an expert on a war that's cost $100 billion in American tax dollars.' Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, who clashed with Zelenskyy during a heated Oval Office meeting last year, has not commented publicly on Loomer's trip.
What the Numbers Show
The visit comes as U.S. support for Ukraine aid has shifted dramatically among Republicans. A Quinnipiac poll conducted in January found 47% of Americans — and only 31% of Republicans — believe the U.S. is spending too much on Ukraine. That marks a significant decline from April 2022, when 71% of Republicans supported providing weapons to Kyiv.
Congress has appropriated approximately $183 billion in total assistance to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022, according to the Congressional Research Service. Of that, roughly $65 billion has been military aid, including air defense systems, artillery ammunition, and armored vehicles.
Loomer's social media following stands at nearly 2 million across platforms before recent bans. Her posts about Ukraine had previously accumulated millions of views, with several going viral in conservative circles during peak debates over continued funding.
The Bottom Line
The meeting highlights the ongoing tension within the Republican Party over Ukraine policy. While traditional defense hawks like Senate Minority Leader John Thune have maintained support for Kyiv, Trump's MAGA base has been more skeptical — and Loomer's presence at Thursday's meeting suggests that bloc may be softening its stance.
It remains unclear what prompted Loomer's trip or whether it signals a broader shift in how far-right influencers will cover the conflict. The White House did not respond to requests for comment on the visit, which was confirmed by Zelenskyy's spokesperson but described as not organized through official Ukrainian government channels.
Zelenskyy told Loomer during the interview that he credited a brief conversation at the Vatican with Trump for improving relations between their administrations — one he called 'a historic moment, because we changed the relations during 15, 20 minutes.' What impact, if any, Loomer's visit will have on ongoing U.S. policy debates over Ukraine remains to be seen.