Zelenskyy hosts Trump ally Laura Loomer as she reverses stance on Ukraine aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with and interviewed far-right American activist Laura Loomer, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, marking a significant shift in the commentator’s long-standing opposition to Western support for Kyiv. The meeting, which took place on Thursday, was conducted for Loomer’s programme on the social media platform Rumble and follows her public announcement on X that she had been mistaken in her previous assessments of the conflict.

Loomer, who previously described Ukraine as corrupt and populated by “Nazi apologists”—narratives frequently utilised by the Kremlin to justify its 2022 invasion—stated she was “wrong” to have repeated Russian propaganda. During the interaction, she asserted that Russia is assisting Iran in the killing of US soldiers, a claim she elaborated on in a social media post where she dismissed concerns about potential disavowal by Republican lawmakers who oppose further aid to Ukraine.

The Office of the President of Ukraine welcomed the visit, emphasising the strategic value of Loomer witnessing the conditions on the ground. In a statement released on Tuesday, the office noted it was “really important that [Loomer] is in Ukraine and sees things with her own eyes as they are,” framing the encounter as an opportunity to counter misinformation through direct observation.

Loomer holds Pentagon press credentials, granting her access to military briefings, despite having no official role within the Trump administration. Her presence in Ukraine underscores her close personal relationship with President Trump, who has faced scepticism from segments of his political base regarding continued support for Kyiv. The current administration has pressed for a resolution to the war, with Trump having promised to end the conflict early in his term, although diplomatic efforts involving meetings with Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin have yet to yield a breakthrough.

The activist’s visit occurs against a backdrop of her controversial public record, including her self-identification as a “proud Islamophobe” and her advocacy for the deportation of Muslims from the United States. She has also been vocal in her support for Israel and has claimed involvement in the detention of British journalist Sami Hamdi, whose US visa was revoked following criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Her stance on Ukraine now stands in contrast to her previous rhetoric, which included calling Zelenskyy a “Jihadi apologist” for meetings with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Loomer’s reversal of position may carry implications for the broader diplomatic landscape between Washington and Kyiv. While the Trump administration continues to seek an end to the hostilities, the engagement with a figure who previously amplified disinformation highlights the complex interplay between informal political influence and official foreign policy objectives. As the administration navigates these internal and external pressures, the visit serves as a notable indicator of the evolving dynamics surrounding US support for Ukraine.