Scranton helped the US aid Ukraine. Now its role is uncertain
US President Donald Trump's pause on military aid and intelligence sharing for Ukraine has left the war-torn country's residents uncertain about their futures and rattled America's European allies.But it also hit far closer to home in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a city about 4,700 miles (7,560km) away from Kyiv that has played its own small role in the conflict.Scranton is known as the setting for the American version of The Office television show, and as the birthplace of former President Joe Biden - one of Ukraine's biggest backers.It is also home to the Scranton Army Artillery Plant, which manufactures some of the rounds the US has sent to Ukraine. It is owned by the US government and operated by contractor General Dynamics, Ordnance and Tactical Systems.Large-calibre metal projectiles are made on site, and it has "steadily increased production levels" of 155mm artillery rounds in recent years, according to the US Army. The US military ramped up production of this artillery during the war in Ukraine at several facilities.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky toured the plant during a whirlwind trip to Scranton in September 2024, shaking hands with staff and observing its machinery.Follow live: Zelensky heads to Brussels to meet European leadersOne day, three crises and Trump's free-wheeling foreign policy on displayThe community sees its work as representing the US commitment to Ukraine, said Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti."We have multiple Ukrainian churches here. We have quite the diaspora of Ukrainian Americans," Cognetti said. St Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church in Scranton has raised funds for the war effort and hosted Ukrainian soldiers at community events."Scranton has a very proud history of supporting Ukraine," Cognetti told the BBC, "and it's been a really tough couple of weeks here, as we see that support erode from the US administration."
Cognetti was unsettled by the Oval Office argument between Trump, Zelensky, and US Vice-President JD Vance last Friday."To see US policy shift and potentially to have the US really turn its back on Ukraine is really appalling," she said.The Scranton artillery plant "ensures warfighters have the ammo when and where needed, and continues to bolster US stockpiles around the globe," said Lt Gen Chris Mohan, deputy commanding general and acting commander, in a statement about Zelensky's visit. Cognetti said that the plant had added "many dozens" of jobs and increased capacity during the Ukraine war, estimating that about 400 people worked there when Zelensky visited.But with the Trump administration now pressurising Zelensky to end the war, Scranton's role in geopolitics could be winding down. US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz confirmed on Wednesday that the White House had paused intelligence sharing with Kyiv, telling reporters: "We have taken a step back."The Trump administration is reviewing "all aspects of this relationship", he added.Republican lawmakers have backed Trump's recent actions, which they see as key to negotiating an end to the war."I think the president just wants to get everybody to the table, and I think he's making progress," South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds told reporters.There are different estimates for how much military aid the US has given Ukraine, a BBC Verify analysis found. The German-based Kiel Institute estimated the total at $119.7bn (£94.3bn). The US Department of Defense provided a total of $182.8bn, which includes spending on Operation Atlantic Resolve - a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Fedir Venislavsky, a member of the Ukrainian parliament's defence committee, told the BBC that without US military aid, front-line soldiers would be able to last "maybe six months."How pausing US intelligence impacts Ukraine's military operationWhat pause in US military aid could mean for UkraineRos Atkins on... President Trump's history with UkraineThe region is home to multiple military manufacturing plants, including a Lockheed Martin facility and the larger Tobyhanna Army Depot, which also produces some supplies for Ukraine.Representatives for the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant declined to comment on how the pause could impact the plant and jobs. On Tuesday, cars pulled into the secure facility as usual, and its car park appeared full.Any effect would be minor for Scranton's economy, local officials said. The plant "is not the largest employer by any stretch," said Bob Durkin, president of the non-partisan Scranton Chamber of Commerce. "But it's a very important employer. The jobs are really high quality jobs. They are well paying, family sustaining jobs."Outside the plant's gates, Scranton's perspective on the war remains divided. Though Scranton, in north-east Pennsylvania, is a historically Democratic area, Republicans have made political gains in the region. In the 2024 presidential election, Trump won the state, but narrowly lost Lackawanna County, where Scranton is located, to then-Vice-President Kamala Harris. However, in the House race, Republican Rob Bresnahan ousted Democratic congressman, Matt Cartwright, by just 6,200 votes.Trump campaigned against US spending on Ukraine, a pledge that resonated with his base. On Tuesday, just before his speech before Congress, denizens at the local Poor Richards dive bar were split on Ukraine - and what role Scranton ought to play on the world stage."I feel really angry about the way Trump handled the meeting with Zelensky," said Brandon Lux, 35, who worked in mental healthcare in Scranton. "Halting all government funding to Ukraine right now, I think that that will definitely have implications for what happens here in our city."
But other residents felt Trump was correct to pressure Zelensky and to reassess Biden's support of the embattled country."We don't have money to give them, we have to take care of our people first," said Fran Fitzgerald, who described herself as a "big fan" of Trump.Ms Fitzgerald said she hoped the Trump administration could direct the funds being used in Ukraine to projects like fixing Scranton's "terrible roads" and potholes.Mike Pierson, an electrician, voted for Trump but does not necessarily agree with all his actions so far. The self-identified independent worried that Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency taskforce would endanger his Social Security benefits. He hopes to retire within the next five years. But Mr Pierson echoed the president's argument that the US should not be spending money abroad on conflicts like Ukraine, but back at home."We're the world's bank, we're the world's insurance policy," he said. "We need to stop."
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