Delaware Senator Chris Coons has drawn conservative criticism after saying the United States is “no longer” the leader of the free world and describing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the leader placing his country’s people “on the line for freedom”. His comments reflect his long-standing support for Ukraine and contrast with President Donald Trump’s emphasis on American power and efforts to end the war.

Coons made the remarks during a virtual town hall in Delaware, arguing that the US must regain its leadership role. He has supported military aid and sanctions against Russia, visited Kyiv in 2022 and Odesa in February; critics, including a White House rapid-response account and Trump envoy Nick Adams, called the statement anti-American. Ukraine has resisted Russia’s full-scale invasion for more than four years while depending heavily on Western weapons, and Zelenskyy met Trump on 28 July to discuss Patriot missile-interceptor production.