Trump-linked activist Laura Loomer meets Zelenskyy after reversing stance on Ukraine
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Laura Loomer (LauraLoomer/X)
Far-right American activist and blogger Laura Loomer, known for her close ties to US President Donald Trump, met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Mariinsky Palace. The meeting could have significant implications, according to the Financial Times.
Loomer's visit to Kyiv came as a surprise, given that until recently she was one of Ukraine's most vocal critics. She is now publicly expressing support for Kyiv's fight against Russian aggression.
Loomer, considered one of Trump's favorite influencers, previously convinced millions of her followers that Ukraine was a corrupt country that did not deserve US support.
However, her rhetoric has changed dramatically in recent months. Loomer has begun speaking positively about Ukraine and its resistance to Russian aggression and recently traveled to Kyiv to personally demonstrate her solidarity.
Two officials from the Ukrainian president's office confirmed Loomer's meeting with Zelenskyy on Thursday.
"I did say these things about Ukraine and Zelenskyy, and I am not deleting my posts because I’ve realized I was wrong," the activist wrote on X on Monday while in Kyiv.
Shortly before that, she posted a video from a Ukrainian train, known for its blue-and-yellow colors.
"I’m not in Russia because I’m not a propagandist," the caption read.
Loomer's change of position has attracted particular attention because of her close ties to Trump and her influence among the American far right. Much of this audience has traditionally opposed US support for Ukraine.
Trump still appears to listen to Loomer's advice on political matters and personnel appointments. Her public support for Ukraine has therefore raised questions about whether the influential activist's shift in position could affect attitudes toward Ukraine among the American far right.
Few non-government activists have the same level of access to Trump as Loomer. This likely helped her establish contacts with senior Ukrainian officials, including Zelenskyy himself.
On Wednesday, Loomer met with Serhii Klytsia, first deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. He also showed her the grounds of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, one of the holiest sites in Eastern Orthodoxy.
"The Russians fired two Shahed drones at this monastery,” she said, zooming in to show the boarded windows in its dome. “Vladimir Putin constantly portrays Russia as some savior of Christianity . . . Well, if you care about Christianity so much, why would you drone the oldest monastery in Ukraine?," the activist asked.
Loomer also visited a McDonald's restaurant in Kyiv — the first location of the chain to open after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It has been damaged several times by Russian attacks.
Against the backdrop of buildings destroyed by Russian missiles during recent strikes, the activist ate a burger and fries and praised Ukrainian resilience, which she said "remains undiminished."
It remains unclear what exactly prompted Loomer's dramatic change in position.
"To those who are asking, no, the government of Ukraine didn’t pay for my trip to Ukraine," she said on X.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has already told Loomer when the turning point came in his relationship with Trump.
It has also become known when the Ukrainian and US presidents may meet next.
In addition, it was revealed that Trump's team has several new ideas for negotiations with Russia.
