Lumer May Influence Trump's Stance on Ukraine — NYT
Far-right American activist Laura Lummer, who has access to U.S. President Donald Trump, could become an important pro-Ukrainian voice within his inner circle.
According to the publication, Ukraine gave Lumer a particularly warm welcome during her visit. Supporters of Ukraine hope that this trip could influence her position and ultimately affect Trump’s stance on supporting Ukraine.
The publication noted that last week, Lumer spent about 40 minutes in conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, conducted the first interview with Ukraine’s new acting defense minister, had dinner with the country’s chief rabbi, and visited an animal shelter, given her love of dogs.
“They view me as an extension of the Trump administration, even though I don’t work in the Trump administration,” Lumer said in an interview.
Notably, in a phone conversation from Kyiv, Lumer—who had previously echoed Russia’s false claims that Ukraine is ruled by neo-Nazis—expressed surprise at the “waves of shock” caused by her visit and her new pro-Ukrainian message.
The article notes that the buzz surrounding Lumer’s trip reflects the long-standing efforts Ukraine and its supporters have made to overcome the skepticism regarding the country’s military actions that has prevailed within Trump’s MAGA movement.
“It also shows how the rift within right-wing circles over the war with Iran could redraw the lines of political struggle regarding Russia and Ukraine,” the publication notes.
Pro-Ukrainian groups have long been drawing attention to churches destroyed during Russian airstrikes and the persecution of some Christians in Russia. They have organized trips to Ukraine for conservative activists, pastors, and influential figures. On one occasion, they placed a billboard featuring a Bible verse across from Speaker Mike Johnson’s church in Louisiana.
However, the publication notes, they failed to establish contacts with Trump, his closest aides, and key figures on the right.
It is noted that Trump’s friend and special envoy Steve Witkoff consistently traveled to Russia for meetings with President Vladimir Putin, rather than to Ukraine.
At the same time, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson consistently praised Putin, claiming that he was “trying to re-Christianize Russia.”
Although many figures in the MAGA movement have expressed “personal support and sympathy” for Ukraine’s cause, noted Melinda Haring, a senior advisor at the pro-Ukrainian nonprofit Razom for Ukraine, they “can’t do anything about it, since Donald Trump hasn’t changed his mind.”
The New York Times reports on this.
Laura Loomer shared her impressions of a meeting with the deputy head of the National Police.
As a reminder, American blogger and ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, Laura Loomer, stated that she had changed her attitude toward Russia’s war against Ukraine after a trip to the country. According to her, she had previously spread false claims while under the influence of Russian propaganda.
The Office of the President stated that the visit of American blogger Laura Loomer to Ukraine was yet another example of how firsthand exposure to the realities of war helps change one’s views and break free from the influence of Russian propaganda. The blogger had previously publicly acknowledged that she had been mistaken in her assessments of Ukraine.
