Delaware Sen.Chris Coons is facing backlash after declaring that the United States is "no longer" the leader of the free world and pointing instead to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the national leader putting his country "on the line for freedom.""I would say we are no longer the leaders of the free world.
In fact, if anything Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the primary national leader who is putting his country’s men and women on the line for freedom," said Coons during the town hall earlier this month."We need to earn our place back as leader in the free world in the future," he added.Coons’ remarks underscore his long-running alignment with Kyiv at a moment when President Donald Trump is pressing for an end to the war and putting a renewed emphasis on American power and national pride.The Delaware Democrat has been one of Congress’ more outspoken supporters of Ukraine, repeatedly backing military aid, tougher sanctions on Russia and continued U.S.
engagement with Zelenskyy’s government.TRUMP HAILS AMERICA AS 'MOST EXCEPTIONAL NATION EVER TO EXIST' IN MOUNT RUSHMORE SPEECHPresident Donald Trump greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House Aug.18, 2025 in Washington, DC.
President Trump is hosting President Zelensky at the White House for a bilateral meeting and later an expanded meeting with European leaders to discuss a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. (Getty Images)Coons spoke with Dover, Delaware, Councilman Andre Boggerty alongside Rep.Sarah McBride in a virtual town hall Tuesday hosted by the Kent County Democratic Committee focused on local issues.Coons has been a vocal advocate for sustained U.S.
support for Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, repeatedly pressing for military assistance and tougher sanctions on Moscow.Coons visited Kyiv in 2022 to meet with Zelenskyy and recently visited Odesa with Senate Foreign Relations Committee members in February to reiterate "the ironclad, bipart...