Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to Visit Pennsylvania Ammunition Factory

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit the Pennsylvania ammunition factory that is producing essential munitions for his country’s fight against Russian ground forces. The Scranton Army Ammunition Plant will kick off his busy week in the United States, where he will also address the U.N. General Assembly in New York and hold talks with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington.

The Scranton plant manufactures 155 mm artillery shells used in howitzer systems, allowing ground forces to strike targets from a protected distance. The U.S. has already supplied over 3 million of these shells to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy has been advocating for permission to use longer-range missile systems to target deeper inside Russia, but faces resistance from the Pentagon and White House due to strategic concerns. The U.S. has increased production of 155 mm rounds to support Ukraine’s efforts, with plans to manufacture even more in the future.

During his visit, Zelenskyy will meet workers at the plant and thank them for their contributions. Pentagon leaders Doug Bush and Bill LaPlante, along with Governor Josh Shapiro, are expected to join him.

The U.S. has been a significant donor of military aid to Ukraine, providing a variety of weapons systems to support its defense. This assistance is crucial to deterring further military aggression from Russia and maintaining stability in the region.

As Zelenskyy continues to garner support for Ukraine’s defense, his visit to the ammunition factory highlights the ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s capabilities in the face of conflict.

Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.