Key facts
- Conservative influencer Laura Loomer met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Loomer previously expressed skepticism about U.S. support for Ukraine and amplified Russian propaganda.
- Loomer experienced an air raid in Ukraine and publicly reversed her stance on the war.
- Zelenskyy's office confirmed the meeting and acknowledged Loomer's visit was important for her to witness the situation directly.
- Loomer visited the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a religious landmark recently damaged in an attack.
- Loomer criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin's claims of protecting Christianity.
Laura Loomer, a conservative influencer and ally of President Donald Trump, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv after a significant reversal of her long-held skepticism regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Loomer, who had previously minimized the conflict and amplified Russian propaganda to her large social media following, experienced an air raid and publicly acknowledged her past indifference was unkind.
Zelenskyy's office confirmed the meeting, stating that the visit was not organized by any Ukrainian government institution and that they learned of Loomer's presence through social media. A spokesperson for the president's office noted the importance of Loomer witnessing the situation firsthand and thanked her for her courage in visiting Ukraine despite Russian propaganda and air raid sirens.
In addition to meeting Zelenskyy, Loomer visited the Dormition Cathedral of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a significant religious site that recently sustained damage in an attack. Inside the cathedral, Loomer criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of hypocrisy for portraying Russia as pro-Christian while allegedly targeting Christian culture. Top Ukrainian officials Sergiy Kyslytsya and Tetyana Berezhna also met with Loomer and accompanied her during the visit.