Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie made an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Friday, becoming the second GOP contender to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
While in Kyiv, Christie expressed his support to Zelensky as his country wages a war with Russia, NBC News reported. Christie’s trip also included stops in Bucha and Moshchun, two cities that have seen intense fighting between the two warring nations.
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“I am an advocate for there being more aid to Ukraine,” Christie said, according to information provided in a pool report. The former New Jersey governor hopes more U.S. aid would help Ukraine win the war against Russia.
Similarly, former Vice President Mike Pence visited Ukraine to talk with Zelensky in late June about human rights atrocities committed by Russia, the Washington Examiner previously reported. He was the first 2024 Republican presidential candidate to do so.
As the Republican primary season nears, Christie has been increasingly vocal about America’s role in aiding Ukraine, saying last month he’d give “every weapon they need to be able to win” if elected president, according to the Hill.
“I don’t think there’s anyone in our country who would come here and see this and not think this is the kind of the things we need to stand up and prevent,” the GOP candidate said on Friday. “We need to give them the means necessary to fight.”
During his trip to Ukraine, Chris Christie tells President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, “We have become a visual people. Reading something doesn’t do it anymore. For a lot of Americans, they need to see it in order to feel it and understand it. I want to be able to be their eyes here.” pic.twitter.com/rSanWVNyYI
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During the former governor’s trip, Zelensky reportedly told him, “It’s very important that the U.S. is on the right side.”
Christie and Pence have both supported increased aid to Ukraine, differing from their top two political rivals, former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL). Former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) are also in favor of backing Ukraine.