Mon Sep 23 17:39:42 UTC 2024: ## Pennsylvania Governor Hosts Zelensky, Sends Troops to Train Ukrainians Amid Border Security Concerns

**Scranton, PA** – Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant on Sunday, a move that highlights the state’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s war effort. The visit comes amid ongoing tensions between the state and federal government over border security, as Shapiro refuses to deploy the Pennsylvania National Guard to the US-Mexico border.

During the visit, Shapiro and Zelensky toured the plant, a major munitions manufacturing facility, and signed a five-year sister state agreement with Zaporizhzhia, a Ukrainian region currently under Russian occupation. The agreement aims to assist in Zaporizhzhia’s post-war reconstruction and create business opportunities in Pennsylvania.

This visit follows the deployment of over 150 Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers to Germany, where they are training Ukrainian forces in combined arms and maneuver tactics. Shapiro has stated that training is crucial to Ukraine’s success on the battlefield.

However, the governor’s support for Ukraine has been met with criticism from some who argue that he should prioritize securing the US border. In March, the Pennsylvania Senate passed a resolution urging Shapiro to send National Guard troops to Texas in support of Operation Lone Star, which aims to deter illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Shapiro rejected this call, stating that he would not deploy troops to the border.

The governor’s stance on border security is seen by some as politically motivated, as Pennsylvania has a large Ukrainian American population, many of whom have strong feelings about the war in Ukraine. The visit with Zelensky and the state’s support for Ukraine could be viewed as an attempt to appeal to this demographic ahead of the 2024 election.

The situation in Pennsylvania reflects a broader national debate over US involvement in the war in Ukraine and the role of state governments in national security matters. While the state’s support for Ukraine is clear, the question of how to balance this commitment with domestic security concerns remains unanswered.

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