Zelenskyy Tours U.S. Ammo Plant, Meets Biden This Week \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania on Sunday, where 155 mm artillery shells critical to Ukraine’s defense are produced. The visit marks the start of a busy U.S. tour, including an address to the U.N. General Assembly and meetings with President Joe Biden. The U.S. has supplied over 3 million of these shells to Ukraine in its fight against Russian forces.
Zelenskyy U.S. Visit Highlights Quick Looks
- Scranton Plant Visit: Zelenskyy will visit the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant, which produces 155 mm artillery shells vital for Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
- Critical U.S. Support: The U.S. has provided over 3 million 155 mm rounds to Ukraine, and production has ramped up to meet the demand, with plans to hit 100,000 rounds a month.
- Long-Range Missile Request: Zelenskyy continues to push the U.S. for access to longer-range missile systems, but concerns remain about escalating tensions with Russia.
- U.N. and Washington Meetings: Zelenskyy will address the U.N. General Assembly and meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to secure continued U.S. support.
- Broad NATO Support: While Ukraine is not a NATO member, its defense is seen as vital by European nations to prevent further Russian aggression.
Deep Look
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania on Sunday, where one of the most critical pieces of ammunition in Ukraine’s defense against Russian forces—the 155 mm artillery shell—is produced. This visit marks the beginning of an important week for Zelenskyy in the United States, as he works to shore up support from both the U.S. government and its allies for Ukraine’s ongoing war efforts.
The Scranton plant is one of the few facilities in the U.S. that manufactures the 155 mm artillery shells, which have become indispensable on the front lines of the war. These shells are fired from howitzer systems, long-barreled guns that can strike targets up to 20 miles away. Ground forces highly value these weapons because they can hit enemy positions from a protected distance, playing a crucial role in Ukraine’s ongoing battle to fend off Russian advances. Since the war began, the U.S. has provided Ukraine with more than 3 million of these rounds, illustrating the critical role of American military aid in the conflict.
Zelenskyy’s visit to the Scranton plant comes as he kicks off a broader U.S. tour designed to rally continued support for Ukraine. After his stop in Pennsylvania, Zelenskyy will travel to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly, where world leaders will convene for the annual gathering. Following that, he will head to Washington, D.C., for key meetings on Thursday with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. These discussions will focus on securing further military and economic aid for Ukraine, which remains locked in a grueling conflict with Russian forces.
As the war enters its third year, Zelenskyy has increasingly pushed the U.S. to grant Ukraine access to longer-range missile systems, which would enable Ukrainian forces to strike deeper into Russian territory. However, U.S. officials, including those in the Pentagon and the White House, have been hesitant to approve such systems due to concerns over the potential escalation of the conflict. The Defense Department has pointed out that Ukraine already possesses the ability to strike Moscow using domestically produced drones, and allowing U.S.-made long-range missiles to be used against Russia could have significant strategic consequences.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made clear that any use of long-range U.S. missiles by Ukraine would result in severe repercussions, warning that such a move would effectively put Russia at war with the United States and its NATO allies. This has led to a delicate balancing act, with the U.S. providing Ukraine with substantial military aid while also trying to avoid provoking a broader conflict that could spiral out of control.
The demand for 155 mm artillery shells surged at one point during the war, with Ukrainian forces reportedly firing between 6,000 and 8,000 rounds per day. This high usage rate began to deplete U.S. stockpiles, raising concerns within the Pentagon about whether the U.S. had enough ammunition on hand to sustain its own military needs in the event of a separate conflict, such as a potential confrontation over Taiwan. In response, the U.S. has significantly ramped up production of the shells, now manufacturing more than 40,000 rounds per month, with plans to reach 100,000 rounds per month in the near future. During his visit, Zelenskyy is expected to meet with and thank the workers who have been instrumental in boosting the production of these essential munitions over the past year.
Two top Pentagon officials—Doug Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics, and technology, and Bill LaPlante, the Pentagon’s top weapons buyer—will accompany Zelenskyy during his visit to the Scranton plant. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is also expected to join the group, underscoring the importance of the state’s role in supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts.
The 155 mm rounds are just one part of the wide array of ammunition, missile systems, air defense technology, and advanced weaponry that the U.S. has supplied to Ukraine since the war began. The U.S. remains Ukraine’s largest military donor, contributing more than $56 billion of the total $106 billion in military aid provided by NATO and its partner nations. This robust support has enabled Ukraine to continue resisting Russian aggression, though the war has taken a heavy toll on both sides.
While Ukraine is not a member of NATO, many European nations view its defense as critical to maintaining the balance of power in the region and deterring further Russian expansion. If Russia were to succeed in Ukraine, some fear that Putin could set his sights on neighboring NATO countries, triggering a much larger and more dangerous conflict. For these nations, supporting Ukraine is not just about aiding an ally—it’s about preventing the war from spreading into Europe and threatening the security of NATO member states.
As Zelenskyy prepares to meet with Biden and Harris in Washington later this week, his primary goal will be to ensure that the U.S. continues its unwavering support for Ukraine. With billions of dollars in military aid already provided and additional commitments expected, Zelenskyy’s visit is critical to keeping Ukraine’s defense efforts robust and well-supplied. At the same time, his meetings with U.N. and U.S. leaders will focus on broader strategic discussions about how to bring the war to a close and secure a lasting peace.
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